Friday, January 20, 2012

MAKING THE GRAVE DIGGING ROBOT!


These bigger sculptures can be a bit more challenging when approaching the support structure and baking such large pieces of Super Sculpey. I built the figure up in sections, first the main body then the front hatch, eyes arm sockets etc. When building up a sculpt of this size I find Super Sculpey can become marred with dents and finger impressions. The core is Aluminum Foil no need to use that much sculpy. I baked the body first. Then sculpted the each piece on the body, a bit of 90% rubbing alcohol will help the new parts stick. The scarf would have been difficult if I wasn’t sculpting it on a firm base. The backs of the eyes were styrene plastic, don’t bake that, it has a very low melting point.



I used copper tubes for arms and the structure of the legs. Also I prefer not to lock the figure on to the base. I want easy access to all areas of the figure. The legs / feet have a system of telescoping tubes so the figure can come off the base freely. Have 2 rods that come out of the base and fit into 2 receiving rods in the feet. The foot rods are firmly attached to the legs. This forms a solid base for the character to sit on. Also when working on the figure I have “working base” that is made of scrap wood that way there is no chance of messing up you real finished base while you are sculpting.



The long rods of the legs went up through a flat thick styrene plastic base. When the upper body was complete I attached the two halves with lots 5 minute Epoxy.

When making a figure like this think of it more like a model kit. Making many of the parts separately then doing the final assembly.

4 comments:

BoomCookie said...

You're so brave giving away your secrets! Love when you share your process, thank you!!

Dave Pressler said...

Thanks. I figure I can share because I'll always make more! :-D

Jessa said...

I just stumbled upon your robot.. love it!

thanks for sharing

Jessa said...

I just stumbled upon site. Love the Robot!