I would like to thank all of you who have taken time to visit the site and have sent an email with your comments, questions, etc.
While I am more than happy to answer any and all questions--time permitting, I have to ask myself, "Why not post a comment where everyone can benefit from the exchange of information?"
You might have your reasons, and that is fine. And I can certainly understand in some instances as the content of the email might stray to what might be considered "personal". Having said that, if it is a question, comment, observation, etc. dealing with what we do, then by all means please consider posting it on the blog.
Admittedly this is a somewhat limited platform for the types of exchanges that we are used to elsewhere; but if you think about it, not that limited. . .
Before closing, please remember that if you decide to take the plunge, all comments are under full moderation, thus your posting might not appear for 24 hrs., depending on the circumstances.
And with that. . . keep 'em coming. . . and THANKS!
Augie
Okie-doke,
ReplyDeleteWhen you apply the Magi-Sculpt for fine details, like facial features, on a commercial casting it's, as you know, almost impossible to sculpt. So, it would best to add a bit more to the area, like the brow, let it harden and then "hard" sculpt/carve in the details? Is that what you're doing with Tzitimitl? Adding the basic shape to the surface and sculpting the details after the putty has hardened?
Thanks!
Ric
Hey guy!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all. . . THANKS for the posting!!!
Now to the matter at hand. While I am primarily a "carver", my approach is a synthesis of modelling (addition) and carving (reduction). This is as much due to necessity (we usually have to provide that which will be subsequently reduced) as economics (by "roughing-in", we can model the approximate shape, which will save us putty, as well as time spent reducing).
Either approach works. I prefer carving simply 'cause that's the way I taught myself to work AND I have the tools with which to do it. Having said that, I can--and have--modelled virtually every aspect of a figure, though never a figure in its entirety. The latter takes a bit more planning and is less intuitive--a combination that I find limiting. It also requires that you work by the "rules" of the putty you are using: hence why there can be 2-3 different mediums on any one sculpt.
Most of the work on the tzitzimitl is roughing-in by modelling, letting it cure, and then finishing/detailing with burr, blade, and file. Yet, for example, the restored fringe (bangs) was entirely modelled. It really depends on the area you are working on, the time at your disposal, and your comfort level of working "soft" vs. "hard" putty.
Remember that modelling is a cumulative process. A good comparative analogy is: modelling is akin to painting with acrylics, while carving is more like painting with oils. I paint primarily with oils, but I will use whatever medium--and technique--yields the effect/s I am striving for. Same with sculpting: I am primarily a carver/reducer, but if the item calls for modelling, then it will be modelled.
Somewhat vague, for which I apologize, but I hope it helps, if only a little.
Augie
Thanks for the instructions and advice, I'll be putting them to use soon!
ReplyDeleteRic
As I said, old friend, hope it helps. Most of this is simply a matter of diving into the deep end and seeing what floats and what doesn't. It's a process that will be constantly evolving--and don't be surprised when the evolution is prompted by seemingly irrelevant variables: age of putty, how thoroughly it was mixed, ambient temperature, humidity, etc.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, thanks for the posting! It has prompted me to create a new "thread" if you will that I will title "Questions". Aside from my introductory blurb, this will be an open thread that will allow the readership to post questions, etc. as they arise. It will be accessible through the "How-to" subject tag.
Thanks for this string of thought. As we have been friends for some time I know how you work but have always been a visually oriented guy so the additional pics of progress are important to me as well as your very descriptive notes. As I have also now gone down the path of pictorially documenting my work for my blog I know what a pain it can be stopping and photographing as you go but keep it up it helps more than you know.
ReplyDeleteAnd I appreciate that. . . as well as your input! But over a decade of meticulously "illustrated" step-by-steps that yielded relatively little, if any, response is what ultimately drove me off the interactive bulletin boards and to this largely self-serving venue.
ReplyDeleteIf time permits, I will certainly attempt to pictorially document any given project. But time is a rather precious commodity of late, and I am no longer "set-up" to do the things I used to do. More to the point, good or bad, I just don't have the "umph" to bother with it any more. . .
Thanks again, and I'll see about keeping the batteries in the camera charged. . . ;-)
Augie