Alice Down the Rabbit hole Armature

Sorry it has been awhile since I posted but the set and directing of Dracula is taking much of my free time. Here is what has happened since last we spoke (well, I wrote, you read).

 I started by enlarging the sketch of my figure to the actual size of the finished piece based on the size head I will be using.

 I have decided to build up my support rod with steel and brass (so I can solder to the brass later if needed) rather than using a larger diameter steel rod. I am using a 5/32" steel rod which is covered by a 3/16" brass tube which, in turn, is covered with a 7/32" brass tube. If you look at the picture you can see how the rod and tubes will align inside the leg. The rod will stop about 1" short of the brass tubing at the socket in the thigh. This way the upper armature can slip into the brass sockets of the leg.

 I slip them together and bend the support assembly following my pattern.

 I keep bending and shaping the support assembly.

Next I draw the size of the finished rabbit so I can get my support assembly bent and cut to fit the final sculpture.

 The same process is used to create the support assembly for the upper body with the exception that the steel rod is 1" longer on the bottom than the brass so it will insert into the lower assembly.
A 14 gauge wire armature is bent and cut as if I was making a simple wire body armature. The free hanging leg gets a brass tube slipped over it for strength while the supported side is cut to the length of the separation point of the armature.

The body armature is bent to the pattern.

 The armature is foil taped together.

 The final structure of the armature is ready for padding. Please note the assorted dog toys on the floor. Can you say "spoiled dog"?

The body is padded with foil so the clay will be about 3/8" think when finished.















The armature is wrapped in masking tape to keep the clay cleaner while the body is being created.
That's it for today! Have a great day!
Mark