Skulls and Hyper Realistic Sculpture

I thought it would be good to show the rest of the skulls for the installation sculpture that I'm working on at the moment. The following images show #6,a child skull, #7,a young adult male and finally #8 a young adult female.

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

 I find it absolutely fascinating the distinctiveness of each skull. It's been a bit of a surprise for me the faces that have been produced so far.  I really had no way to anticipate how things would turn out.  As I mentioned before,one of the concerns at the beginning of this project was that the sculptures could turn out to be similar or even worse generic. So far that hasn't happened yet.

 In related news,I've started to work on the drawings for the installation itself, specifically the design aspect of the project. I'm working out the entire presentation and currently researching materials for it.
In the meantime, #5 is progressing but there still is a lot of work to do. Next post,I should have some new images of #5.  Till then,have a great weekend.

Hyper Realistic Sculpture Part #7

I was able to work on #5 over this past weekend. Although I wasn't able to spend as much time I would like on this sculpture there was some progress. Here are the latest images.

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Modeling skin texture is as I mentioned before is a gradual process with several steps. The skin itself  is made up of several different textures one on top of another. No modeling tool can produce the finished surface instantly except for texture stamps. But these stamps are not easy to use because of the complex topography of the human face,as well as it tends to homogenize the skin's surface. That's why I usually build up the skin, layer by layer with an assortment of tools and being mindful of the different textures on the head as well as zones of transition.
Anyways, I'm continuing to experiment with the surface treatment on this sculpture and hoping things will come together soon . We'll see.

Hyper Realistic Reconstructed Sculpture Part#5 + Beavers

I  had a bit of time to work on #5.  I'm starting to play around with the skin texture on the right side of the face. This part of the process actually is quite gradual.  I've learned that each new subject requires a different approach because human skin texture is highly variable and so the tools used are applied in different ways to achieve an individual quality for each sculpture. That's why stamps are not very useful. All the surfaces are modeled because of the greater control and flexibility.

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Just like the previous four subjects, This take will take time.

Hyper Realistic Reconstructed Sculpture Part#5

Back again. I've been flat out working on beaver waxes and #5. Unfortunately,due to the the lighting conditions, the photos of the beavers didn't turn out well.
So,this post will be once again all about #5. I was able to move this project further along over the weekend completing the basic forms of the bust and starting to work on the surface details.

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

I decided to try him as an older person perhaps not as old as OM but probably not too far away in age.
I'll  try this older age for now.  I'm not sure how this work with other individuals in the series. But it's important for me to try this approach for now and I'll see if it works. Once I'm satisfied, then the modeling of the skin texture will begin.
Next time, I'll try to have some decent images of the beavers before they head off to the foundry and of course more pictures of #5. Have great week.

Hyper Realistic Reconstructed Sculpture Part 4

I've been trying  to advance the sculpt on #5. It's a bit of challenge sculpting this particular individual because of his large nose. It's such a dominant feature that it requires the other parts of the face to be that much stronger. It's also played havoc on the photographic side because the camera just loves to focus on that nose. So,I've taken a different tack by doing closeups instead. The odd thing is that this camera makes the nose appear larger than it is in reality.

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Image copyright  Art Di Lella

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Image copyright  Art Di Lella

I don't want to give the impression that this is a simple linear process. This new sculpture will require numerous changes so that with each new update, it may appear that things are going in many directions.It's really an evolutionary process and not about an ABC type of execution.

Hyper Realistic Reconstructed Sculpture #5 Part 3

I've spent a bit of time over the weekend working on #5.  I'm still building up masses and defining forms over the entire sculpture.  I thought at this point it would be good to show some updated images.

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

 There has been some progress building up the neck and shoulders but I'm still a long way off.

Image  copyright  Art  Di Lella

 At this point,the face is still too thin and will need further adjustments. Certainly. the thinness of the face accentuates the nose . It's still early days and there will be many changes to come.
Later this week,I should some new updates on #5 as well as some other moulding and casting news.
Till then, have a good week.

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Hyper Realistic Reconstructed Sculpture #5 Part 2

I'm back again with some new images of #5. After assessing the various details of this particular skull, I started  into the modeling almost immediately.  Although the beginning stages are more about mapping out where things are suppose to be, I often find very early on, a distinct face begins to appear. I'm not suggesting that this is in any way a portrait but I feel it reinforces the fact that all of us (exceptions- twins etc.) have a unique skull.  The skull appears to provide a direct influence on the surface features of the face.

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

 There are a few unusual qualities about this particular individual, first he has enormous nasal opening which implies a big nose,also a pointy chin and a very short cranium 16.5 cm when compared to the other males in this series.

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

 I'm not an anthropologist but was told that this particular specimen is likely to be male. Certainly, looking at the various parts of the skull especially the nose,it would seem reasonable to make that determination.
After the mapping out the basic features, the real modeling begins. What I mean is that the charts and other technical references are put aside and I start to model more intuitively.  But always keeping in mind the qualities of this individual and giving the skull as much "input" as possible.
Next time, I hope to have some new pictures of  the other projects that are being worked on as well as an update of #5.
Have good weekend.

Hyper Realistic Reconstructed Sculpture #5 Part 1

It's a new month and its time to start a new project. This posting will be about the beginning of the sculpture process whereas before most of the posts focused on technical aspects of the later stages. Here, I hope to show you the entire process from armature to finished silicone cast. This will of course take time and  I will be doing other project postings as well.
The images below illustrate the armature for the sculpture, which for the uninitiated is essentially what holds things together and upright.

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

 The above picture shows the basic parts for the armature.  The armature once assembled needs to be strong and just as important, adjustable.

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

 Here's a peek of the new subject.

Image copyright Art  Di Lella

 This gives a better view of the skull itself mounted on the armature. I will do an assessment of the skull before proceeding, that usually involves examination of the skull's details and then recording my impressions of them. It allows for a reference throughout the sculpting process.

Image copyright  Art  Di Lella

This is the completed armature for now.  Once I have decided the exact location of the shoulders then the armature will be bulked out and the clay applied. This will go through many changes and I hope to record as much as I can.
I should have some new images soon perhaps later this week. We'll see.
PS  I wish to say happy Independence Day to our American friends.