Archelon, first try

[Mahnmut]

Hello again,

I started on my 1/25 scale Archelon model.

My main source are the drawings found here:

http://oceansofkansas.com/fieldguide3.html

and this:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/taburin/6048493840

The basic shape for the carapax is cast in plaster, on top of that I sculpted some kind of putty that behaves much like clay but dries faster/lighter.

Now the big question is how well that material will take carving or grinding for finer detail that I didn´t manage to produce in the first go.

I am still open for advice on materials and techniques.

My perfect material behaves like clay when wet but is easily carved when dry, without producing obnoxious dust when ground/polished.

Any suggestons?

Best Regards,

Jan

[LordTrilobite]

Looks very nice so far.

Personally I really like using carving foam. I made a complete Bambiraptor skeleton out of that. It works pretty well for both small and large shapes.

You can get the foam here. It appears it also ships to Germany.

http://de.opitec.com/opitec-web/c/zz/cID/c3I6cm9vZm1hdGU3/searchResult.jsf

[Mahnmut]

Thanks, looks as could that foam be useful for my whales, I wondered where to get it.

As for now, it seems my "pottery" is quite easily shaped with a sharp file:

[Triceratops]

Great work!

Will you use plaster to create the basic shape of the turtle's bones as well?

[Mike Pocock]

Hi Looks like you are off to a fine start, as a suggestion have a look at a cake decorating tool set as these can often come with lots of different shaped tools and can be made from plastic or metal.

Looking forward to seeing the finished item.

Regards

Mike

[Mahnmut]

Thanks! Baking tools sounds like a nice idea.

Until now I used a set of small files and a stick sharpened with a pencil sharpener.

By basic shape I meant some kind of dummy on top which I sculpted the shell. The shell itself is made of that claylike stuff called fimo,

I used plaster only to make a placeholder for the turtles body cavity.

Cheers,

Jan

Next steps:

Edited April 7, 2016 by Mahnmut

[Mahnmut]

Some progress at the front and back end:

that leaves a lot of small bones in the middle or rather off to the sides.

The head reminds me somewhat of a Phorusrhacos, but as far as I can tell from the references that is not completely wrong.

Tell me what you think,

Regards,

Jan

Edited April 12, 2016 by Mahnmut