#496 In the field: Africa . . . conclusion of Part I

Please start this series of posts with #477 

This post and the next, concludes Part I of the Africa series.  I will return with Part II in a few weeks and 
introduce 10 new species.   Part I focused on 10 species:  cheetah, leopard, lion, rhino, secretary bird, ostrich, flamingo, hippo, hoopoe, and elephant.  I currently have 12 block-in sculptures of African subjects in progress 
and as the work is completed and prepared for casting, I will post images.

In conclusion, it may be useful to know how I, as a sculptor, use a camera and interpret the results in the field 
and in the studio.  A sculptor works in a much different way than a painter . . . a painter paints what they see 
and a sculptor sculpts what they know.  While a painter uses light, color, edges, value, perspective, 
and more to create an illusion on a two- diminutional surface, a sculptor creates an actual form of a 
figure that exists in space  Knowledge of structure and anatomy is a must in order to 
build the armature and assemble forms and shapes.  

Below, is a sculpture of a leopard blocked in and in progress.

As I mentioned in the last post, I prepared a sketchbook of various animal skeletons to use  in conjunction with 
the camera equipment while on safari in Tanzania.  The drawings were invaluable while observing 
animal locomotion in the field and while reviewing my digital images.  

While on the photo safari in the Serengeti, we achieved the best results by waiting and watching at watering holes in the morning and evening.  Most animals ignored us in the Land Rover and we were able to get very close to our subjects without stressing them.  Our tent camp was located inside the park so we could stay and photograph until dark.

Below,  is a photo of zebras taken at a Serengeti water hole.

While at Tarangire, our camp - Kikoti Camp - was outside the park and we had to exit by 6 p.m.  
Many great photo opportunities occurred on the drive back to camp.  

Below, are zebras at the watering hole next to Kikoti Camp.

In Tarangire, we left camp for the park at dark in the morning and were constantly on the move.  We encountered animals at almost every turn and were compelled to keep moving in our excitement.  Many times, we would see more than one species together.  

Below, is a typical image from our photo safari in Tanzania. . . several species 
in one area such  as zebra, wildebeest, and African buffalo in the distance.   

As a wildlife sculptor, I go to the field so I can work and I work so I can go to the field.

Below, is a review of several block-ins of work in progress since my return from Africa.
I will continue focusing on "in the field" photography in the next post.

For anatomy reference, go to posts #563, #616, and #655

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

     

#486 In the field: Africa . . . Ostrich

Please start this series of posts with #477

This post focuses on another species I experienced on my recent trip to Tanzania. . . the OSTRICH.

The ostrich is another subject that will be included in my portfolio of sculpture - in progress - depicting African animals.  Below are photos taken in the Serengeti, Ngorogoro, and Tarangire. several weeks ago.
The larger male has distinctive black feathers;  the females' are grayish brown.

Below, the male and female look after their brood.

Below, The big bird often follows animals such as zebras and other
hooved animals that kick up insects and other edibles.

The ostrich is the largest bird as well as the largest two-legged creature on earth . . .
it can be over 9 feet in height.
Below is a drawing from my sketchbook.

  Before approaching the sculpture stand, each species must be researched to perceive behavior, gesture,  pose, individual shapes and form, and proportion.  Below is a drawing of a running ostrich. . . 

this is a pose that is frequently seen in the field and is typical body movement and locomotion.

The ostrich is a unique bird with a bizarre appearance and communicates many distinctive shapes
for the sculptor's use.  The comical-looking creature has a huge rounded body; a long, skinny neck;
an unusually small head with big eyes, long eye-lashes, and a broad, flat beak;
spindly legs with enormous calf muscles; and only two toes.  The combination of
shapes and form presents a bonanza for the sculptor while creating and designing.
Below, is a drawing of the bird's unique head.

It is shapes and the arrangement of shapes and form that make sculpture and sculpting any species is the process of assembling shapes and forms that are unique to the subject.  The sculptor must develop sound technique and be under the influence of their subject. . . I always ask myself: "What was my initial impression of this animal when I first saw and experienced it?"  In this manner, I attempt to leave my imprint upon my creation and retain clarity and purpose.

        

For anatomy reference, go to posts #563, #616, and #655

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

#478 In the field: Africa . . . con't

Please start this series of posts with post #477.

Before meeting the artist group in Arusha and traveling to Tarangire, Trish and I arrived in Africa early and spent a week in Ngorogoro Crater and the Serengeti.  The name Serengeti means 'endless plains' and is derived from the Maasai language.

Below, a cheetah finds shade under an acacia tree in the beautiful Serengeti.

We had an excellent guide - named Bariki - who, like our guides in Tarangire, was extremely knowledgable about animals, plants, ecosystem, history, and every aspect of the African experience.   To my delight, he was an avid birder and could spot, identify, and discuss the many species we encountered.  Simply put:  He was a walking encyclopedia and we learned much from him.

Shown below is our guide, Bariki with Trish.  His tribe is located southeast of the Ngorogoro Crater . . . he spoke excellent English and traveling with him as a private guide was a profound learning experience.

Also pictured, is his favorite bird:  The Lilac-breasted Roller.  More than 500 species of birds have been recorded in the Serengeti . . . some of them Eurasian migrants which are present from October to April.

While in the Serengeti, we stayed in the bush in a tented camp.  The spacious, comfortable tent had a floor, bathroom, shower and exceeded all our safari expectations.  Shown below, is our tent, the interior, and a view of the dining tent from our porch.

We had lion and hyena in camp after dark and the Maasai kept a fire going and patrolled throughout the night.  

I'll never forget the sounds the animals made . . . they will remain with me for the rest of my life. 

A full moon added to the drama, and after the first restless night, 

an unfamiliar peace came over me and I accepted the situation in dreamy, sound sleep.

Below, the evening glow of kerosene lanterns added to the charm and ambiance in camp.

Our routine in the Serengeti began with an early breakfast and a game drive to nearby waterholes to experience the spectacular concentration of plains animals.  We returned to camp every day at noon for lunch as both we and the animals sought shade in the intense heat.  We stayed in camp for about 4 hours before returning to the field until sunset.  Below, a picture of zebras at a water hole and lunch with a welcome cold refreshment at camp.

Africa produces great beer; we enjoyed Safari, Tusker, and Kilimanjaro.

I used the 4-hour downtime during the heat of the day to work with my field guides, and, thanks to the immediacy of digital photography, draw in my sketchbook.  Trish and I each took over 10,000 pictures during our 3 weeks in Africa. The daily game drives were full of action and I did not spend my time sketching in the field with so much activity. 

Below, photographing from the open top of the Land Rover.  

  

We saw lots of different quadruped and bird species but when I think of the Serengeti, I think of the cats:  we saw many lion, leopard, and cheetah.  Although we saw elephants and we were ever mindful of our anti poaching purpose for being in Tanzania, Bariki reminded me that the upcoming trip to Tarangari was the best place to experience elephants.

Below, one of many lion photographs.

More about Africa in next Wednesday's post.

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