#686 New sculpture: "Silver Wings - Trumpeter Swan"

   "Silver Wings - Trumpeter Swan" is a new sculpture introduced in Cody this fall.  Please go to the search box and type in trumpeter swan for more information about the creation of this work . . . drawings and photos are shown. 

 Below are images of the work in progress in clay and the finished sculpture cast in bronze.

Shown below . . .  the flexible rubber mold in progress.

Shown below . . . silver nitrate being applied during the patina process at the foundry.

Shown below . . . two images of the completed and based bronze casting.

Go to the BLOG INDEX and Reference Page for more information.  

See post #616

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish

#685 In the studio: Eyes. . . predator or prey?

Whether your creation is human or animal, every figurative artist should have an understanding of eyes.  

It's important to know the difference between an animal that is a predator or a prey species.
Once this information is processed . . . eye location become logical:  See and be seen.

Predator animals such as a wolf, lion, bear, cat, dog, and human have forward-facing eyes that are placed 

on the front of the head while animals that are preyed upon have eyes that are on the side of the head.  

Preyed upon animals include rabbits, mice, deer. antelope, zebras, horses, and more.

The same is true of birds:  Birds of prey include eagles, hawks, and owls and have eyes located on the 

front of their heads.  Most other birds have eyes on the side of their heads and are preyed upon.

When you research your subject, pay special attention to the eyes and where they are located.

Ask yourself . . . is this critter the hunter or the hunted?

Below, are images of predator eyes.

Below, are images of prey eyes.

Go to the BLOG INDEX and Reference Page for more information.  

See post #616

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish

#674 Functional Art . . . "African Elephant Bookends"

Over the years I've created many bookend compositions - over 30 at last count - and most of the designs 

present the subject emerging from mass.   My most recent creation, "African Elephant Bookends", 

is one of my favorite sculptures of functional art.  The work was created in one sitting - 2 to 4 hours - and my intent was to model a spontaneous, loose, and inspired surface while maintaining the general impression, size and shape of the animal.
I will discuss the merits and faults of one-sitting clay sketches and loose modeling in an upcoming blog.

Below, are images of the clay model of "African Elephant Bookends" in progress.

I modeled only one bookend but cast it twice to create the pair . . . below, is an image of the bronze casting of
 "African Elephant Bookends".  Not all one-sitting sculptures are worthy of casting but this one was.

"African Elephant Bookends"

9"H 14"L 8"D

3,600

Go to the BLOG INDEX and Reference Page for more information.  
See post #616

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish

#672 Africa Portfolio 1 . . . "Recumbent Giraffe", con't

Please seen the previous 2 posts for more information about this blog.

A Giraffe has only two gaits:  Walking and galloping.  Walking is done by moving the legs on one side of the body at the same time, the doing the same on the other side.  A galloping giraffe is a wonderful sight to see . . .  

the hind legs move up past the front legs BEFORE the front legs move forward while the long neck and head rock 

forward and backward to maintain balance!  The obvious pose for me to choose for my first Giraffe sculpture

 would have been a standing, walking, or galloping Giraffe as I had plenty of reference material

 from my trip to Africa but I chose a recumbent pose with more Giraffe sculptures planned in the future.


Below, Note both legs going forward on the same side while going back
on the opposite side . . . similar to a pacing horse.

Below, are photos of "Recumbent Giraffe" in progress in clay, cast in bronze, and making the mold.

  

It's important for the artists to understand how and in what direction an animal's limbs are folded when they are in a recumbent position.  Typically, the limbs are arranged in such a way as to enable the species to rise with the greatest facility.  By observing wild animals in the field and photographing and sketching them, invaluable information can obviously be obtained.  However, much can be learned by studying domestic animals which are much more readily available to study and scrutinize.  For instance, a house cat has the structural arrangements - supple spine, etc - as a lion.

 Dogs resemble wolves, fox, etc;  cattle resemble bison, etc;  and goats resemble deer, Giraffe, and more.

The artist must know how the skeleton is arranged,
 how the bones articulate and identify bony landmarks and waypoints.
All quadruped skeletons are fundamentally the same but some species have limited mobility
in the reclining position.

Below, is an early work depicting a recumbent cow. . . useful observation and information for modeling wild species.

For anatomy reference, see posts #616 and #655

Go to the BLOG INDEX and Reference Page for more information.  

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish

#671 Africa Portfolio 1 . . . "Recumbent Giraffe", con't

Please visit the previous blog for more information about this post.

There are some events that occur in the field that are branded in your memory for the rest of your life . . . 

in Africa, my first sight of a Giraffe in the wild remains one of the most profound animal encounters I've ever experienced.

While driving on the dusty road from Ngorogoro Crater in Tanzania to the south end of the Serengeti, we went over a rise and a Giraffe was to our left, less than 20 feet from the Land Rover.  "Twiga, said our guide in Swahile" as he stopped the truck . . . a blazing sun, low in the west backlit the magnificent Masai Giraffe (Twiga) as the magic of Africa enveloped me.  The animal advanced slowly, swinging its head and neck from side to side to keep its balance . . . looking as though it was moving in slow motion.   Without raising the camera, I simply soaked it all in . . . knowing that Africa in all its glory,
the grand, long-awaited adventure and subjects for untold future sculptures lay ahead.

Below, are photos taken of Giraffe in Tanzania.

Shown below,  are images of the clay model that was created in one sitting outdoors after our return from Africa.
I don't cast most of my one-sitting  (typically, 2 -4 hour) clay sketches but this one, I deemed worthy of bronze.

More about Giraffe and modeling recumbent animals in next Wednesday's blog.

For anatomy reference, see posts #616 and #655

Go to the BLOG INDEX and Reference Page for more information.

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish

#670 Africa Portfolio 1 . . . "Recumbent Giraffe"

In October, 2013, Trish and I traveled to Africa with a group of 9 internationally known artists to sketch, photograph, paint, observe, and experience the amazing wildlife in Tanzania.  The purpose of the trip was and is to raise awareness and funds to combat the African poaching crisis where thousands of elephants are slaughtered annually for their ivory tusks.  

To learn more about the trip, please go to blog #477, posted Nov. 10, 2013 through #497, posted Jan. 19, 2014.
https://www. Post #477

Last weekend Columbine Gallery in Loveland, Colorado hosted the first show for the group of 9 artists -
Artist Ambassadors Against Poaching  [AAAP] - and a generous portion of the sales went to our anti-poaching efforts . . . "Ivory Orphans" which cares for the young elephants after the adults are killed for their ivory.  More shows are planned.

To learn more about the art show at Columbine Gallery to raise funds for "Ivory Orphans", see the previous 3 posts.

http://www.columbinegallery.com/african-wildlife-trust.html

The focus of this blog is the Giraffe;  a favorite subject depicted in one of the new works in Africa Portfolio 1. 

The new bronze sculpture was introduced at the Columbine art show in Loveland, Colorado last weekend.

Below, are photos of the sculpture, "Recumbent Giraffe"

Below, are photos of Giraffe taken in the field in Tanzania.

Next Sunday's blog spotlights the creation of "Recumbent Giraffe".



For anatomy reference, see page #616 and #655

Go to the BLOG INDEX  and Reference Page for more information.  

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish

#655 Animals in motion

It's important for the artist to understand that one of the main anatomical difference between upright humans and quadruped mammals on all fours is the shape and position of the shoulder blades as outlined in the previous 3 blogs. 


Below, is the clay model of a sculpture in progress depicting running horses.

   


Unlike humans, a quadruped does not have the skeletal support of a clavicle attached to the scapula and humerus. . .

there is no collarbone [clavicle] attachment to the scapula [shoulder blades] and the scapula is not attached to the ribcage.

The weight of the front end of a quadruped is supported by sliding scapulas and the muscles that surround them.
Birds like mammals are vertebrates, they stand upright like humans, and they have a clavicle.

While the shoulder blades are not attached to the ribcage, the hips are. 

   The artist should know how the animal's skeleton is structured and how it is designed to function.

The artist must sense when to exaggerate or diminish proportions to achieve the illusion of movement.

It's the subject's gesture or movement that the artist must capture.

Don't be afraid to "stretch" a proportion to trick the viewer's eye into seeing what you want them to see!

Caliper restricted and exact measurements can result in the creation of a specimen and leave the realm of art.

Calipers and measuring devices are useful for depicting poses of the animal at ease, for blocking in the start-up,
 and especially for those times when you simply stop seeing the work . . . you know something is wrong, but what?
Measuring can get you back on track but don't forget your first impression of the animal's gesture and action . . .
 refer to your drawings or take a picture of the existing work before making too many adjustments and changes.

Note:  A great book and resource for the artist is "Animals in Motion" by Eadweard Muybridge; published by Dover.

Remember, if you know what to look for and where to expect to find it, your art immediately becomes more easily accomplished.  Since the bones of a specific species are fixed as to length and restricted as to range of movement,

they can only assume positions that are governed by the laws of mechanics. 

The first thing to be aware of is the position of the skeleton.  All of this becomes evident if you know

where to locate the scapula (shoulder blade), the humerus, elbow, wrist, pelvis, femur, knee, and the ankle.  

Go to the BLOG INDEX and Reference Page for more information.  See post #616

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish

Below, is a link to a credit list of references and resources used for preparing visual images of skeletal anatomy, and structural data for the instructional portion of this blog.  This material is meant to be used for teaching information and studio reference.  Not included in the link is "Zoobooks" which is an excellent artist's resource. Additional sources will be noted when used in upcoming blogs.

Link to post #616

#654 Plantigrades, Digitigrades, and Unguligrades . . . land animals

Please see the previous two posts for more information about this subject.

The focus of this blog is four basic types of land animals which are:
Plantigrades, Digitigrades, and Unguligrades . . . both odd-toed and even-toed.

1.  Plantigrades are slow land animals such as bears, raccoons, squirrels, etc. and the paws
 function similar to human hands.  The drawings below are from one of my journals and sketchbook.

2.  Digitigrades are intermediate speed land animals such as dogs, cats, birds, and most mammals.
Surprisingly, elephants are included in this group . . . much more about elephant anatomy in an upcoming blog.
Also, birds - who stand upright like humans -  are included in this group.
Digitigrades walk on the pad of the foot and hand as shown in the drawings below.

3.  Even-toed Unguligrades are faster land animals such as deer, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, antelope, giraffe, etc.
  I can find no info on why they are called "toed" instead of "fingered".
Below is a drawing of a cow that shows hand and foot basics followed by that of a deer.

4. Odd-toed Unguligrades are fast land animals such as rhinos and horses.
The lower leg and arm is the foot and hand region and the animal walks and runs on the toe and finger.
Below, a drawing of a horse shows hand [thoracic limb] and foot [pelvic limb] basics.

                                                                                            

Go to the BLOG INDEX and Reference Page for more information.  See post #616 and #655

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish