Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

Going though some old pictures i found this series of images. Brought some pretty good memories...

I was tasked to make a large turkey for our 2012 Christmas display and this is how i made it.
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First i downloaded some images from the net then using them as guide shaped the main body from polystyrene


I would draw it in 2D first, then proceed to make it 3D


Aiming for the basic shape first with saws, then sandpaper to smooth it


The actual tools i used for shaping the foam and the mess it created


Afterwards, i covered everything with glue & tissue paper. Then painted it after it dried


Another view of the finished carving. After the colors dried, i sprayed it with clear gloss.


My turkey on display

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

That is awesome.

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

Thanks. I had a blast making it.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Amazing procedure and results.

canonclicker

Wallen, you don't say what state your in so I'm making this general.

Don't know if you ever did this before. This is the same steps to make a bronze sculpture, so I'd like you to make another form and take or send it it to a foundry and have your form cast into metal for your a born sculptor.

Try using a tool from HD or Lowe's that cuts styro with a hot wire so you don't have all the mess.

There are art foundries around the US who cast aluminium, bronze and other metals. The art foundries cater to artists, much different from industrial foundries. If nothing else go to a foundry and ask for a tour. Loveland, CO is the art foundry capitol of America (& possibly the world). Victor Issa is a sculptor there who has been the President of the sculptor society there and welcomes the public to his studio. The most famous of sculptors come to Loveland once a year to display their art with other sculptors from around the world. It's a JOY!!

In So Cal there are at least 4 foundries, Heritage Bronze, Hesperia; Max DeMoss Foundry, Hemet, forgot the name in No Hollywood and many community colleges have bronze casting classes.

Your turkey is a classic so give sculpture a try, if you are not already a sculptor.

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

My father was an architect so I played with modeling clay and scale figures at a very young age. I often help him build scale architectural models. At age 11, i make 6" high copies of the crucified Christ just for fun. Using coconut midribs as structural members of my plastic clay cross. I do not consider myself a sculptor as i only do it for fun but believe i can give some of them a run for their money

There was a time my boss asked me to make a hand sculpture as stand for a celphone. That actually gave him & me the creeps as it looks and (cold soft clay) feel like a real dead persons hand.

I really like your suggestion but sadly I'm not blessed to live nor belong in your freeland. There is no foundry i can commission where i exists and i may not even have the finance to support such project, even if I'd do it on my own.

I do want to make a Chess Set out of Orcs & knights, and probably use epoxy or resin to make them.

I think creative capacity runs in the blood. Below is a clay head made by my 13YO daughter. She drew it first on paper then made the 7/8" high model.

my 13YO daughters piece

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

canonclicker

I like your kinda people!!! Those who are creative really have it over those who just want to make money and more money.

I had an art studio and it made little cash, but the rich came in and were amazed what I could do with a skilsaw and a few other tools. I would look at them, see there fancy belts, high class shoes and their money, then listen to them and wonder what it would be like to live in their homes.

After listening to all their talk I told my wife were in between them and what we used to be. I now have a statement that adds it all up.

A politician's wife came to my studio saying,"I'm sorry I'm late! We went to Bermuda and stayed 3 months, when I'm finished here we're going to Alaska to spend time there and when we are tired of Alaska we're going to Hawaii & then we're coming home.

Later, a young girl pushing her baby in a stroller came in and said she'd like to have a piece of the little girl's navel made into something special for she was an 'intro-baby'. She said,"I've been saving for a long time and when we have enough money we're going to Hawaii."

I started thinking we're in between the two & they are both trying to impress me with there money & hence came the following statement.

When it came to paying the rich talk "Poor talk" and the poor talk "Rich Talk"! I told my wife,"Now we are in between so we must learn when to use "Rich Talk" and when to use "Poor Talk"!

I'm so glad you spend time with your daugther. When you're both much older you'll still be friends & that's what the world is really about.

Do remember to get the Styrofoam tool at Lowe's. It's not a load of money.

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

Thanks.
God bless us craftsmen. We could all use a little bit more cash

https://wallen4.wixsite.com/wallen/portfolio?lightbox=image188q

HamB

How did it taste?

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Wow, very nicely done. Thanks for sharing the photo and story.

home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana

well done

Fayle Loc: Seward, Alaska and Rionegro, Colombia

Excellent carving Wallen.
For those interested in wood carving, check out this guys Box of Money:
https://www.boredpanda.com/realistic-wood-sculptures-box-of-cash-randall-rosenthal/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

There is no way I could muster the talent or patience to do this.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

I would ask how you managed to do such a great job and then I remembered a well known sculptor once said that to carve an elephant, you just take off everything that doesn't look like an elephant! So much for that part, but you did a really skillful job all the way around. The shape and coloring make it look good enough to carve into!

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

Ha ha ha.
I actually repaired that in two separate occasions because passersby pulled the leg out.
Too much curiosity.