- I have further "refined" (read: reduced) the girth of the pedestal, and it is now ready for finishing--providing I do not elect to alter the current pose of the bust.
- The salient cylinder of the right ear spool is now finished. Detailing and final shaping of the mandible has begun.
- And after tweaking the facial landscape more to my liking--nothing major I assure you--I have permanently, though as yet not irreversibly, attached the m-h to the head. . .
Showing posts with label tzitzimitl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tzitzimitl. Show all posts
21 October 2009
"Tzitzimitl" - Intermezzo (cont.)
To pick-up where I left off in my update of 10/19. . .
19 October 2009
17 October 2009
"Tzitzimitl" - Intermezzo
As I am fast approaching commencing the finishing phase of the project, it was time to reassess the work to date. . . and all was not right.
Most of the "issues" revolve around the m-h and the head. In short, I should have removed the head at the outset and worked the project in two distinct subassemblies, as opposed to a single main structure with accessory items. To this end, I have now removed the head (at the neck), will permanently attach the head within the m-h, and model all the interior details of the m-h, most of which will now be accessible. This will also allow me to reposition the head to its most effective pose vis-à-vis the enhanced m-h, rather than adapt (or accept) the original pose.
Some of you will immediately FF to the fact that I will not have free access to a bare head while painting, and you would be correct. But this is no big deal. In fact, it will mean less to paint, and only those structures that will remain visible will have to be painted.
17.10.2009--UPDATE
I have finished reworking the neck and the corresponding socket; and the collar has been reworked and the first of the tlahuiztli ties (the tlahuiztli as an open-backed garment was closed with 3-5 ties) has been roughed-in. I can deal with these sorts of "setbacks"
. Final finishing will hopefully be underway by next weekend.
18.10.2009
The second of the visible ties has now been roughed-in, and detailing work has begun along the collar. I have also roughed-in the left ear spool on the m-h. I should be able to permanently join head and m-h in the next 24-48 hrs. The next major installment will address the undersides of the bust and addition of the pedestal.
19.10.2009
The pedestal is now about 80% done. . . which means roughed-in, with finishing well underway. I will probably hold-off final finishing and polishing until the project is all-but-done, as I might have to reassess the pose once the h-m panache is in place: quetzal feathers can easily throw a figure "off-balance", esthetically, if not literally. And. . . the "back" of the left ear spool is now done, with the right ear spool roughed-in. Slowly, but surely. . .
Most of the "issues" revolve around the m-h and the head. In short, I should have removed the head at the outset and worked the project in two distinct subassemblies, as opposed to a single main structure with accessory items. To this end, I have now removed the head (at the neck), will permanently attach the head within the m-h, and model all the interior details of the m-h, most of which will now be accessible. This will also allow me to reposition the head to its most effective pose vis-à-vis the enhanced m-h, rather than adapt (or accept) the original pose.
Some of you will immediately FF to the fact that I will not have free access to a bare head while painting, and you would be correct. But this is no big deal. In fact, it will mean less to paint, and only those structures that will remain visible will have to be painted.
17.10.2009--UPDATE
I have finished reworking the neck and the corresponding socket; and the collar has been reworked and the first of the tlahuiztli ties (the tlahuiztli as an open-backed garment was closed with 3-5 ties) has been roughed-in. I can deal with these sorts of "setbacks"
. Final finishing will hopefully be underway by next weekend.18.10.2009
The second of the visible ties has now been roughed-in, and detailing work has begun along the collar. I have also roughed-in the left ear spool on the m-h. I should be able to permanently join head and m-h in the next 24-48 hrs. The next major installment will address the undersides of the bust and addition of the pedestal.
19.10.2009
The pedestal is now about 80% done. . . which means roughed-in, with finishing well underway. I will probably hold-off final finishing and polishing until the project is all-but-done, as I might have to reassess the pose once the h-m panache is in place: quetzal feathers can easily throw a figure "off-balance", esthetically, if not literally. And. . . the "back" of the left ear spool is now done, with the right ear spool roughed-in. Slowly, but surely. . .
11 October 2009
"Tzitzimitl" - Phase II: The Torso
Those of you who have been following this project will know that the first step is to model the ichcahuipilli, which will be applied in two pieces, poncho-style. Normally, I would quilt the garment, but since it will be all-but-hidden from view by the tlahuiztli (overall), my primary goal is to add the necessary volume to the torso.
The torso is now curing in the oven. The next step will be to cover the arms with the sleeves of the tlahuiztli, and add the integrating drapery.
12.10.2009
The sleeves and collar of the tlahuiztli have been roughed-in. I have now commenced working on the drapery and surface finishing.
13.10.2009
This evening, I attempted to model the padding on the inside of the m-h while still retaining the stand-alone capability of the same, but it is simply not possible. Thus, the visible padding will be modelled and painted in situ once the m-h is permanently attached. I did, however, successfully restore the fringe/bangs on the forehead of the subject.
14.10.2009
The reconfiguration of the h-m has begun in earnest. I am trying to take it slow and easy in anticipation of the receipt of the MdT, although this invaluable reference will not come into its own until it comes time to surface detail the tlahuiztli and break out the paints. However frustrating working the h-m might be, it is also the part of the project I enjoy the most.
More to follow. . .
The torso is now curing in the oven. The next step will be to cover the arms with the sleeves of the tlahuiztli, and add the integrating drapery.
12.10.2009
The sleeves and collar of the tlahuiztli have been roughed-in. I have now commenced working on the drapery and surface finishing.
13.10.2009
This evening, I attempted to model the padding on the inside of the m-h while still retaining the stand-alone capability of the same, but it is simply not possible. Thus, the visible padding will be modelled and painted in situ once the m-h is permanently attached. I did, however, successfully restore the fringe/bangs on the forehead of the subject.
14.10.2009
The reconfiguration of the h-m has begun in earnest. I am trying to take it slow and easy in anticipation of the receipt of the MdT, although this invaluable reference will not come into its own until it comes time to surface detail the tlahuiztli and break out the paints. However frustrating working the h-m might be, it is also the part of the project I enjoy the most.
More to follow. . .
10 October 2009
"Tzitzimitl" - Phase I: The Mask-Helmet
The tzitzimitl mask-helmet (hereafter, m-h) is as defining as it is iconic, thus it stands to reason that it has to be "right". It not only has to be right (i.e., display the characteristic appointments that were associated with the deity); but it has to look right when worn... This is as good a time as any to underscore that the Mexica "mask-helmets" were full helmets, "great helmets" if you will: the way Young has designed the helmet suggests, at least to me, that this was more of an open-backed mask than a helmet.
I spent a couple of productive hours at the bench yesterday, and the m-h makeover is well underway. I'll post some images in the next 72 hrs., but in the meantime, let me touch upon some highlights of what's been done to date.
1) I have reduced the necklace (which will serve nicely as the edge of the collar of the tlahuiztli), and eliminated the claw-like spacers--I have no idea what these are intended to represent. This served as a preliminary to the initial judicious reduction of the pectorals: so far I would say I have reduced them by 1-1.5mm. I may go a bit further, I may not. To prepare for what follows, I permanently attached the face/neck, and reduced all visible hair.
2) Eliminated the mantling of feathers across the shoulders, and the bindings, etc. on the back of the head. The tzitzimitl m-h does have a quetzal-feather crest attached to the top of the m-h; and the back of the helmet is adorned with hair and/or quetzal feathers arranged to look like disheveled hair. Some sources indicate that the entire m-h was covered with featherwork, and this will be examined and considered in the days to come.
3) Eliminated the fangs. It might look "cool" and "horrific", but we're talking about a flesh-eating, skull-headed demon: what more do you need?! Fangs were limited to mask-helmets depicting natural creatures (e.g., jaguars (ocelotl), coyotes (coyotl)). The same may be said of pronounced "overbites", where the mandible of the h-m is markedly underslung relative to the maxilla.
4) The talon ear-pendants and the carved "forelock", for lack of a better term, have already been discarded. The former will be replaced by the characteristic ear spools of the tzitzimitl: to accommodate these, I have drilled a 3.5mm hole in the ear lobes of the m-h's ears. But before that is given its due consideration, the ears must be relocated: to this end, they have already been removed.
ADDENDUM
A most productive day! I have restored the calvarium to the head, and the h-m is now a stand-alone, removable item. Next I will fit the h-m by adding the internal padding. I have not decided whether I will depict the h-m ties (omitted in the kit) tied or un-.
11.10.2009
The ears on the h-m have been reattached. I have begun the surface finishing on the m-h, and started tweaking the overall shape in anticipation of the addition of the shell (forehead) and the hair/feathers.
I spent a couple of productive hours at the bench yesterday, and the m-h makeover is well underway. I'll post some images in the next 72 hrs., but in the meantime, let me touch upon some highlights of what's been done to date.
1) I have reduced the necklace (which will serve nicely as the edge of the collar of the tlahuiztli), and eliminated the claw-like spacers--I have no idea what these are intended to represent. This served as a preliminary to the initial judicious reduction of the pectorals: so far I would say I have reduced them by 1-1.5mm. I may go a bit further, I may not. To prepare for what follows, I permanently attached the face/neck, and reduced all visible hair.
2) Eliminated the mantling of feathers across the shoulders, and the bindings, etc. on the back of the head. The tzitzimitl m-h does have a quetzal-feather crest attached to the top of the m-h; and the back of the helmet is adorned with hair and/or quetzal feathers arranged to look like disheveled hair. Some sources indicate that the entire m-h was covered with featherwork, and this will be examined and considered in the days to come.
3) Eliminated the fangs. It might look "cool" and "horrific", but we're talking about a flesh-eating, skull-headed demon: what more do you need?! Fangs were limited to mask-helmets depicting natural creatures (e.g., jaguars (ocelotl), coyotes (coyotl)). The same may be said of pronounced "overbites", where the mandible of the h-m is markedly underslung relative to the maxilla.
4) The talon ear-pendants and the carved "forelock", for lack of a better term, have already been discarded. The former will be replaced by the characteristic ear spools of the tzitzimitl: to accommodate these, I have drilled a 3.5mm hole in the ear lobes of the m-h's ears. But before that is given its due consideration, the ears must be relocated: to this end, they have already been removed.
ADDENDUM
A most productive day! I have restored the calvarium to the head, and the h-m is now a stand-alone, removable item. Next I will fit the h-m by adding the internal padding. I have not decided whether I will depict the h-m ties (omitted in the kit) tied or un-.
11.10.2009
The ears on the h-m have been reattached. I have begun the surface finishing on the m-h, and started tweaking the overall shape in anticipation of the addition of the shell (forehead) and the hair/feathers.
01 October 2009
"Tzitzimitl" - Planning
With the excellent graphic breakdown of the kit presented here, planning can begin in earnest.
The first order of business will be to reduce and "dress" the torso. I've always had a problem with the "ripped" physique usually found on indigenous subjects; hence the initial reduction. I would say that the necklace and the sculpted feathers on the torso will have to be removed as well, but this might be taken care of by. . .
the modelling of the ichcahuipilli, the stuffed and quilted vest that was the "foundation" piece of defensive wear around which the Mexica garniture was assembled. While not all warriors went armoured, all armoured warriors wore an ichcahuipilli as the tlahuiztli did not possess any defensive properties beyond what a sturdy denim overall would provide.
I will add to this thread over the following days. . .
07.10.2009
Mine arrived today! For whatever it's worth, Young continues to provide the best and most stylish packaging in the business. And in case anyone is wondering, there is no refsheet of any sort included with the kit. . . Regardless, I have now requested the facsimile edition of the Codex Moctezuma (bka the MdT) through ILL. . .
The first order of business will be to reduce and "dress" the torso. I've always had a problem with the "ripped" physique usually found on indigenous subjects; hence the initial reduction. I would say that the necklace and the sculpted feathers on the torso will have to be removed as well, but this might be taken care of by. . .
the modelling of the ichcahuipilli, the stuffed and quilted vest that was the "foundation" piece of defensive wear around which the Mexica garniture was assembled. While not all warriors went armoured, all armoured warriors wore an ichcahuipilli as the tlahuiztli did not possess any defensive properties beyond what a sturdy denim overall would provide.
I will add to this thread over the following days. . .
07.10.2009
Mine arrived today! For whatever it's worth, Young continues to provide the best and most stylish packaging in the business. And in case anyone is wondering, there is no refsheet of any sort included with the kit. . . Regardless, I have now requested the facsimile edition of the Codex Moctezuma (bka the MdT) through ILL. . .
24 September 2009
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