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My In-Progress Cthulhu Sculpture

post #1 of 34
1/22/09 at 10:39pm
Thread Starter 
My 2nd sculpture ever (well since childhood anyway). Winging this one in Sculpey (over wire and foil armature) without a plan/drawing. Sort of letting the spirit of Lovecraft inspire on the fly. Leaving the tentacle details for last, as I'm bound to mess them up fiddling with the rest. Lots of experimentation and discovery. Worked on one side exclusively at 1st to avoid damaging the rest and I'm not too concerned about symmetry. Wish me luck!









*Apologies in advance for the pic sizes.
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post #2 of 34
1/23/09 at 1:40am
Funny, when I first read the thread title, I thought it said "My In-Progress Cthulhu Scripture"

This is also cool. Good luck!
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post #3 of 34
1/23/09 at 1:42am
I think it's great.
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post #4 of 34
1/23/09 at 1:57am
I can play the guitar, I can draw, I can paint, and I can write. What I suck at harder than anything is sculpting. I am in awe of anyone that can pull it off. Very cool sir.
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post #5 of 34
1/23/09 at 2:12am
That's some impressive detail work. And one of the things I like about Chthulhu as a subject for sculpture is that he's so vague that he lends himself to extensive personal interpretation. I like yours.

Once this thing is finished, you could probably make a mold and make good money selling copies at conventions. But I would never suggest that you make a profit off of copyrighted materials.
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post #6 of 34
1/23/09 at 2:29am
The works of Lovecraft are public domain, so cash in Darkmite. Nice work.
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post #7 of 34
1/23/09 at 2:57am
Well, they probably are, but there's some confusing and complex legal hassling over that issue, especially involving works published after 1923, which includes The Call of Cthulhu.

At any rate, I doubt anyone would sue over somebody selling statues at a convention. Whoever sold those plush Cthulhus seems to have escaped unmolested.
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post #8 of 34
1/23/09 at 6:01am


That's pretty awesome Darkmite.
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post #9 of 34
1/23/09 at 2:48pm
Fantastic looking stuff! Make sure you keep us updated as it moves along.

I'm familiar with Super Sculpy due to the numerous 3D Design students calling me at 3:00am to open up the common room kitchen, so they can use the oven for their final due in the morning.

Oh, and that's pretty awesome Horrid.
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post #10 of 34
1/23/09 at 9:34pm
Wow, that is awsome. It encourages me to get off my ass and get to work on my Nyarlathotep sculpture i left half finished. I'll get some picture and I'll post them, but I think yours kicks holy ass all over mine.
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post #11 of 34
5/7/09 at 6:15pm
Thank you once again, you have inspired me! I am working on my own interpretation of the big guy.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1294070727

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1294070727

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1294070727

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1294070727

Obviously I have a long way to go...
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post #12 of 34
5/12/09 at 2:54pm
Thread Starter 
Cool armature! Good luck!
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post #13 of 34
5/20/09 at 8:47pm
Thank you. I have just gotten to the point where I am starting into the tentacles. Uff da! I am starting to think it was a mistake to attach them all at once. It is really hard to get my big fat fingers between the wires. I am considering just cutting them all off and starting over by forming the tentacles first individually and then baking them rigid, then attaching them. It is really driving me nuts! How are you handling the tentacles?

By the way, how is your figure coming along? I ask because I am jealous and have a pathological need to feel inadequate (ask my wife).
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post #14 of 34
5/22/09 at 12:11am
Thread Starter 
Slowly. I come back to it here and there, after taking a big break with a different/easier sculpture. Working on some finer detail on the mostly finished side. I only have 4 tentacles with actual armature in them (visible in the pics above), but since have added quite a few flush against the front of the figure, in between the primary ones, and snaking a bit around the ankles, etc. Many of those were rolled out, sculpted, and heat-gunned stiff before attaching, SOme broke and had to be redone. I used the same technique with the spines/spikes. Hardening them up with heat and then pushing them into the softer "flesh".

I think I should have done that with all the tentacles (used wire inside of attachable, poseable tentacles), but you live and learn.
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post #15 of 34
5/22/09 at 3:28pm
Ya, I know what you mean. I think (plan) about it a lot but I don't get a lot of hand-to-Sculpey time in. It's funny I have been planning on the fine detail for last. I think I am going to lop the head off of mine because of the tentacle issue. I tried to do the tentacle thing separately and it turned out pretty good so I think it is 'off with his head'!

Wow, does the heat gun really work? Where did you get that idea? It's awesome! Its ideas like that, that gets me pumped and going again.

What other projects you got going? I am thinking of doing a "clover" (from cloverfield) figure and a Godzilla (in a more lateral configuration) figure. But I am not starting anything till I am done with squid face
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post #16 of 34
5/23/09 at 11:52am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by T.rex View Post
Wow, does the heat gun really work? Where did you get that idea? It's awesome! Its ideas like that, that gets me pumped and going again.
Yep, you just have to make sure to be even and not get too close (the sculpey can burn). I generally don't linger with the heat and act as if I'm using a hair dryer (constant wrist motion) in waves, if that makes any sense. Small toaster oven is also good for smaller segments/pieces. Just be careful not to burn. Certain pieces end up more fragile than others, so be mindful. I've had a few break off and apart when trying to assemble/attach. I was given the advice of of gluing the tentacles on after I baked the individual sections, but I'm past the point of no return now. Too late for that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by T.rex View Post
What other projects you got going?
I'm working on a cartoony turtle for a stop-motion project. In the middle of his paint job (and some stop-motion tests) now.
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post #17 of 34
5/26/09 at 8:36pm
Quote:
I was given the advice of of gluing the tentacles on after I baked the individual sections, but I'm past the point of no return now. Too late for that.
I was able to avoid that by lopping his head off since I didn't feel that I was too far. I had formed the tentacles individually on the side and realized that I had liked the result so I then pasted them together and attached the tentacles as one unit to form the head. I am much happier with the result. But I know how you feel, It always seems like I realize half way through a better way to have done what I am doing, it drives me bat shit. It is kinda why I put off the Cthulhu figure in the first place. I wanted to wait until I had more experience, but I kept obsessing about it so I threw caution to the wind.

Quote:
I'm working on a cartoony turtle for a stop-motion project. In the middle of his paint job (and some stop-motion tests) now.
Did you bake it and just hide the joints, or did you leave it plastic and just hide the thumb-prints?

I got more pictures, so I will post them tomorrow.
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post #18 of 34
5/27/09 at 12:49am
Ia ia Cthulhu fhtagn!

are the first things that pop into my head when I saw your sculpting so far.
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post #19 of 34
5/27/09 at 12:51am
Looks great. Can I turn it into a bong?
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post #20 of 34
5/29/09 at 1:46am
Here is progress on the sculpture. It is still just the "under-skin", the final skin is going to be the color of the tentacles (green) and that is when I will start putting details on it (he shudders in fear).

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1294070727

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1294070727


http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1294070727

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1294070727

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1294070727

BTW: OK, I admit it I am not real slick when it comes to doing fancy shit on these boards.
There, I said it, I feel better now!
Having said that, I would like to know why when I try to post a picture it does not work but when I post a link it does. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong?
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post #21 of 34
5/30/09 at 12:11am
You need to use an image hosting service and link to that. I use Photobucket.
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post #22 of 34
6/2/09 at 3:06pm
Thread Starter 
Or if you have Firefox, you can right click the image and choose "copy image location" and use that in your post. That's how I posted my myspace pics above. IE doesn't seem to have that option.
Quote:
Originally Posted by T.rex View Post
Did you bake it and just hide the joints, or did you leave it plastic and just hide the thumb-prints?
It's baked and all the limbs & head are removable. I use magnets to hold on the replaceable mouth and limb parts. The shell hides alot luckily. I'll get around to posting some pics of him soon. Still need to paint the shell and limbs.

Your sculpture's coming along. Good job! I was reminded of the Sligs from Oddworld.

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post #23 of 34
6/2/09 at 9:01pm
I am terrified of texturing which is why I am frozen at this point. I should be baking the sculpture for the first time (according to plan) and then putting the final green skin with the texture. But the face tentacles are final product so they need to be textured. But I cannot decide how to texture them so therefore i cannot bake.

Grrrr, fucking indecision!
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post #24 of 34
6/15/09 at 8:41pm
here is the entire run from my Photobucket account.

here is the start, I used bent coat hanger for the main skeleton and light gage wire for the tentacles, fingers etc.

I discovered the wonders of plumbers putty to attach the pieces of wire together. when you squish the two parts together you have either two minutes or ten minutes to finish or it becomes hard as a rock!

here is the skeleton with tin foil filler

mounted on a cake pan
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post #25 of 34
6/15/09 at 8:42pm

here is the under-skin

not terribly happy with the head

I realize that the face tentacles are going to be a problem to work with as is

solution, work on the tentacles separately
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post #26 of 34
6/15/09 at 8:43pm

then bundle them together and chop off the old head

im much happier with the new head

trying out the big brain look

the pink skin is just an underlayment so I have a solid mass to put the final skin on
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post #27 of 34
6/15/09 at 8:44pm

talked to a friend and he confirmed my suspicion that the big brain look is too pedestrian. I want it to look more alien than octopus-like

an attempt to texture, I am not sure I like it. it will take a hell of a long time to finish.

semi final skin. just have to texture it. this is the part i have been dreading.

am mostly happy with the face tentacles and the thumb tentacles

Whew, I need a rest.
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post #28 of 34
6/16/09 at 6:53pm
Thread Starter 
I miss the more exposed eyes. Coming along though. What's that mesh material beneath the wing clay? I've never used colored sculpey. Or did you make it yourself?
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post #29 of 34
6/17/09 at 8:53pm
The colored clay is Sculpey III which comes in a rainbow of colors. It is more expensive but other than that it work just the same. I am tempted to buy a palette of colors to mix and match. My next project is going to be entirely using Sculpey III.

The eyes are way up in the air right now. Are you saying that you like the big bulging lid-less ones, or just not so squinty? I have actually have yanked them already to try to get them aligned (oi, what a pain that is!)


By the way, sorry that the pictures are so HUGE. I did not intend them that way. I'm still not sure how to mess with the size of the pix I send.
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post #30 of 34
6/17/09 at 11:24pm
You buy a copy of Photoshop. Come on, you pussy, it's only six hundred bucks.
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post #31 of 34
6/18/09 at 6:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by T.rex View Post
The eyes are way up in the air right now. Are you saying that you like the big bulging lid-less ones, or just not so squinty? I have actually have yanked them already to try to get them aligned (oi, what a pain that is!)
Not sure, but they went from bulgey to near gone (squinty). A happy medium perhaps? That red breaks up the head nicely.
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post #32 of 34
6/18/09 at 6:49pm
If you post the images on imageshack, you can optionally resize them.
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post #33 of 34
6/19/09 at 7:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DARKMITE8 View Post
Not sure, but they went from bulgey to near gone (squinty). A happy medium perhaps? That red breaks up the head nicely.
Yeah, I think I agree. The bulgy eyes also gave it more of an inhuman look.
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post #34 of 34
7/1/09 at 9:02pm
the look I was going for is one of sleepy aloofness. I thought the bug-eyed thing makes him look cute. I have however been toying with having the eyes be like a chameleon



but not so pebbly (sp.). The rotating part (yellow in this pix) would be red and the inner part would be black.
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