Leaping into Forever

Celebrating a special friend the beginnings of his portrait sculpture

This is the key image we shall be working towards.
First stages, the making of the armature support and study of his images. Soaking in all that character and energy.

Supporting steel rod and base frame wire

Addition of supporting wires for legs and tail.

They are kept extra long intentionally - we need to build out the body, before the legs can come down in their right place and length. Don't be confused by the extra number of legs! You can see the extras are twisted round to provide more strength to the tops of the legs.

Using the key image as a backdrop to check  the progress

Early build up of the first clay

All the clay and armature must fit within the final profile.

Even with this type of clay it is good to let it settle. 

More time to study the character, conformation and musculature of the wonderful original.

Change to the position of the head - now a slight turn as in the image

Here the view of the head, turned. You can also see the depth of chest developing

This is a view slightly from the rear to show the turn of the head

The paws and tail wire are all covered now and ready for work.

The head is a little high, but that will be changed as work on the head begins

Here we are below, head adjusted and the muscles of back and flank added.

Ready now for the final details

Ears sketched on and paws ready for their detail, the lovely depth of chest and elegant strength of neck. His collar sketched in.

Using pins in key places to map the pose and the legs.

You can see the start of the base to hold the sculpture

The eyes are in, love those ears and work started on the face - teeth and nose next

Rear view developing the muscles

Study of muscles, skeleton and movement of hounds

Next more work on the legs and paws

Visit to the clients to gain advice and insight as to the details and the character of their lovely dog.

Intense sessions to continue with details and to make sure the pose and character are what the clients look for

Great Help

 from those who knew this  super dog best

More scissor action look to the spring of the back legs - leaping from a running gait

That collar with its stitching is on  now and the buckle worked in

more to be done on tongue, teeth and toes!

details of the almond eyes and focused look

More and more work on paws

muscle tone improved and details of the pose finalised

The whole surface has been worked over again and again - and this will keep happening until the finish and details are achieved

Here a comparison of the key image and a similar view of the sculpture

The next few sessions will be spent on the fine details of the paws and areas not so easily seen - inside legs  - with checks over the whole surface.

Teeth in place and the ears made finer

Fine details made to the paws

A slide show of the final clay sculpture of Carlos

Leaping into Forever

Here the show of the Bronze Dog Leaping Into Forever