Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Here a WIP, There a WIP, Everywhere a WIP

I am mixing new batches of paper mache clay daily right now trying to get ready for Halloween and Vine plus two other local fall shows I will be participating in. I build in stages and thought I would show you how the figures evolve. In the photo below you can see some basic sphere forms (the top hat is setting on top of one) that develop into pumpkin shapes with the addition of clay, and later develop faces by pinching and pulling bits of paper mache clay to form noses and mouths. I use to build the entire head at one time, but I got tired of removing fingerprints, fingernail pokes and flattened spots and realized I needed to complete the heads and torsos in stages.

This weekend I completed 9 of the bases I use for my "legged" figures, which will need to have the boots added, and then the torso placed on the legs, which will get arms and hands added. It takes several days to complete one figure to a state that it is ready to dry and then eventually be painted. There are many little components such as bow ties, buckets, scepters, hats and other little elements that I sculpt separately, and then add them to the figures as they are finished and dried.

This photo shows some of the figures with their heads painted, which establishes the personality for me and helps base my decisions on how they would dress and what type of additional accouterments they might need. Often the original sketch I begin with doesn't match the finished figure as anything more than the origin of the idea.

I need to get back to work now!! As I finish some of the WIPs (Works in Progress) I will pull a few together for peeks at their progression.

Have a great day!!!

Laurie

15 comments:

elf said...

WOW! What a fabulous process.

Marie Patterson Studio said...

WOW! Laurie! Looking at this makes me feel like a slacker..lol! Really GREAT work!

Tracy M. said...

Amazing collection of works in progress you have going there.
I love the spheres!!

Melissa Valeriote said...

Man Laurie! You're going to have some serious biceps come Fall from stirring all that maché... sheesh!

Looking good! I always paint the face first as well.

PJHornbergerFolkArtist.com said...

Thanks for the explanation! Been wondering how all that magic works. You are workin' hard, my dear.

Iva Wilcox said...

You are so prolific!! I love seeing how you piece your whimsical characters together. Thanks for the peek inside your WIPs!
~ Iva

Chicken Lips said...

Thanks for that peek into your creative process! Looking at all those WIPS reminds me I had better get off the computer and get back to work myself!

yoborobo said...

You are amazing! I love seeing them all together, with the couple already coming into their own. Great work, as always, Laurie! xox Pam

PEA said...

wow you really are working hard. You poor dear, take care of yourself. Don't over do it again.
They are all wonderful and I wish I was rich enough to fly out for the show. Oh maybe next year. I am sure you will do wonderfully!
Hugs,Pea

Brandi McKenna said...

Laurie,
Our process is silmilar! That mache really does have to dry in stages! Your work is so marvolously colored and detailed and you have such a vast array of characters! I just am completely smitten with your work, and so inspired to better my own after seeing yours!

Monkey-Cats Studio said...

Hi Elf!! Glad you liked a look at the process.

Oh Marie, you amaze me with what you get done!!! Remember, these aren't all finished yet.

Thanks for stopping by Tracy and thank you for the compliment on the spheres.

Hello Melissa...painting the face first just seems to be the right thing to do!!! Sometimes I have nothing but painted heads sitting on top of white clay bodies.

Hi PJ...I'll get over this week to see what you are up to!! Always interested in seeing how you do things too!!

Hi Iva!!! I always enjoy seeing how others work so thought I would do a series because it will be all I'm doing for weeks, and weeks!!

Oh boy David...I hear you!!

Have a great week Pam...glad you stopped by to see what is happening in the studio!!

Pea, the hands are holding up great and I highly recommend Eucerin dry skin therapy hand creme!!

Brandi...I'm not surprised we work in a similar manner. I really like your work!!!! Thank you for the compliment sweetie!!!

Well, I'm off to mix more clay so I can work on details today. I also want to get a skelly head or two done as well.

Have a great day all!!
Laurie

Anonymous said...

What a busy woman you are!

Anonymous said...

Hi Laurie I'm a friend and fellow blogger with David from chicken lips studio...
How do I order the fast mache' from you? i'd like to have some if you are selling it!
PAttee
www.odd-dolls.blogspot.com

PEA said...

L:
so glad to hear that the cream in working for you as it did for me! Yeh I helped someone. Now that makes me feel better.
:)P~

Christopher A. Klingler said...

Popping in to say hello & wish you a wonderful weekend!

Chris :-)