How exciting! I think she's going to fit. I made the saddle and bridle, except for the reins, last night. His tail and mane will be white Tibetan lamb's wool, really full and long. Her hips fit the saddle. Yea!! I've made the stirrups and the flap, but I'm thinking I'll wait until it's finished, then drill a small hole through the flap, both sides of the stirrups, insert a small wire, glue it, then glue the entire piece to the saddle after making sure her feet fit into the stirrups. It will be difficult. I've been thinking about the stirrups since I started. They have to be a bit flexible. If anyone has a better idea, let me know, quickly. grin. Okay, on to the next step!
Just a shot of her from the front. She's waving with one hand and will be holding the reins in her right hand. She will have on gloves. Brrrr......it's cold out. (I wish) We're still sweltering.
I got so involved in sculpting that I forgot to take pictures. Now, she has both gloves and boots, to boot! She looks quite comfortable astride her faithful friend. A couple more pictures and I have to start on the little boy who will be riding with her. Tiny.......I'll be working with magnifiers for sure.
Original Art Dolls by Lynda Dunham-Watkins
Powderly, Texas
09-08-08 Didn't get to work too much today, but did get the child finished and I think the pose will work. Tomorrow, her clothes will be sculpted and we'll see how well they fit together. Later, they will be baked together. Just a few pictures tonight before I go to bed..
He needs his boots, but seems really happy without them!!
First leg of pants on its way.
Baking, sanding, and painting will finish the pants.
The tail was sculpted over a wire frame to lighten the weight of all clay and for reinforcement. It is very strong and quite lightweight. Later it will be fastened with a post application as well as epoxy.
9-23-2008
If you have happened upon this page by chance, I do hope you enjoyed seeing how this sculpture came together. I'm quite pleased with the finished sculpture. She has her own page now, so please go to it and visit her. I'll be doing another this way soon. "Bringing Home the Tree"
903.732.3819
Work in Progress
This is a Christmas piece, and I can visualize it clearly. Just hope I can execute such visualization. Sometimes I can, and the sculpt will be just what I saw, and other times........we'll see. I see a youngish grandmother living perhaps in Wyoming or some lovely northern state (first had the vision last month in Texas July when we were really sweltering). She has taken the youngest grandchild on horseback to search for that perfect tree, found it and is bringing it home. Meanwhile the snow has started. I want it to be mainly white, with touches of color, maybe the tree and her jacket. The title of the piece will be "Bringing Home the Tree." We'll see. I have so much fun doing this. Bad thing about this is that you get to see my mess. But I can't take time to pretty up my work space each time I want to take a picture. Sorry......
I've completed one arm with a glove, formed her boots with foil and wrapped her legs with masking tape. They are ready for the clay. I've also put epoxy on her elbows, knees, and ankles. While she was on her horse, I checked for knee position, etc. Ah....progress. I made the palms with epoxy which made it easier to just add the fingers, etc., stronger too. Fingers are so fragile.
Her horse will certainly be more comfortable after the addition of his tail. Nothing to swat flies with!! Besides, he really looks as though he's missing something. Well, as they ride off in the sunset, I have to get busy, so until next time........
I think they will fit well together. Can't wait!!.
9-15-08--I've been so busy taking care of other matters, but I'm back and will have more pictures tonight. Progress has been good. I should finish the sculpture this week.
AND, my idea about the stirrups is going to work. I'm so pleased. They are flexible. The next post will be when they are finished and that should be soon.
Here's a back view that shows the hips as I begin to build. Her armature is a great one for a small figure. I learned how to make it at this website:
www.widowbryant.com/jurisdiction/howto/armature.html
I have learned so much from others and will always try to give credit whenever I possibly can.
Using an armature stand is so much easier than holding the wet clay and making a mess, or at least I do. My hands get hot; the clay starts drooping, especially Cernit which tends to do that. But, I do love to use it. The finished sculpt is so soft looking and it holds the details. On some clays the details have to be exaggerated to still be there after baking.
There she goes again. This time she came to get her grandson and took him with her. More tomorrow!!
The mane is done. I first thought of doing the mane and tail with Tibetan fur, but decided it would be a full sculpt.
Oh, all now have hair! Painting has begun.
I made this armature stand which explains all the holes. grin. Couldn't decide where I wanted the post. However, I have a slanted hole there in the front (the dark one) that works great when I'm working on a larger head and need to put hair or a beard on it. You can see her steed to the right. He waits patiently. I finished him a few nights ago, haven't painted him yet. Thinking of maybe an Appaloosa with lots of white. I have her head done, a little of the chest and arms. Epoxy on the hands and joints for additional strength. I put it on the joints as I sculpt, not before because I may want to adjust the pose. She is only 8 inches tall. I'm using Cernit polymer clay.
I did this sculpture before I designed my blog www.claymama1.blogspot.com The next work in progress will be posted on the blog. I will post the information here so you can follow the blog.
