Dave Pressler Making Stuff

MAKING THE GRAVE DIGGING ROBOT!

2012-01-20T15:51:00.000-08:00

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.

1800'S GRAVE DIGGING ROBOT!

2012-01-19T22:36:00.000-08:00

My new character sculpt for Conjoined II at Copro Gallery opening this Sat. He's about 10.5 inches tall a combination of Super Sculpey and wood.

This piece is part of some new larger robot character sculpts I making for gallery shows this summer.

HOLIDAYS AND NEW PROJECTS FOR 2012!

2011-12-20T18:37:00.000-08:00

I've had a few things that I have been working on and planning that have nothing to do with animation. The last couple years I started to put together some art pieces made of things I have found, It was always just fun personal work much darker than my usual robot creature kind of stuff. Next year I'd like to do a gallery exhibit to show and tell some of this work, as well as a more traditional "Robot" art show.

This pic of one of my Assemblage style pieces. Happy Holidays All!

DESIGNER CON THIS SATURDAY!

2011-11-04T00:14:00.000-07:00

Hey there I'll be at DesignerCon this Saturday at the Cardboard Spaceship booth from 1pm 'till about 3 or so. I'll be there with the mighty David Chung doing sketches and selling some of my prints. Always a fun time at D-Con. Hope to see you there.

THE "STOP IT!" SHOW!

2011-09-06T22:47:00.000-07:00

I have a new piece for the Stop It! group art show coming up this Sat at Munky King. Cooper Berella (aka SuperCooper), a 12 year old artist, art collector, and supportive member of the art community, is curating his second art show at Munky King Gallery in Los Angeles. "Stop It!" opens on Saturday, September 10th, 2011 from 6pm-10pm. I'll be there with my new piece

"The Outcome Of Situations Are Not Always Predetermined" Acrylic on mounted wood 9X12 I'm painting primarily robot themes these days. I want to do a gallery show next summer that will be all pen & ink robot drawings. I'll keep everyone posted.

ROBOT & MONSTER!

2011-07-15T14:48:00.000-07:00

Have you been curious about what the new Robot & Monster animated show is looking like? If you are at Comic-Con next weekend at the Nickelodeon booth we will be running a trailer for the show. It's part of a continuous loop of new shows that Nick is preparing to launch. I believe there will be monitors set up running the videos the whole time. Drop by for your first glimpse of Robot & Monster.

I FEEL LIKE I'M BEING FOLLOWED!

2011-07-13T11:34:00.000-07:00

Follow @davepressler

I'll be tweeting my location at SDCC on Sat and Sunday.

NEW PRINT AT COMICCON!

2011-07-13T10:59:00.000-07:00

Future Clunker is the title of my new print I will be selling and signing at SDCC. I'll be at the Munky King booth, we don't have the time scheduled yet. I'll be posting that info as soon as I know. The concept is for a limited edition resin that I'm working on for next year, possibly a new vinyl creation? We will see how it goes.

Even a futuristic jet propelled bubble car will be someones junker some day. The print is an 8.5 X 11 archival inkjet on heavy matte paper. Look forward to seeing you there!

IT'S BEEN TOO LONG!

2011-07-03T14:32:00.000-07:00

Hi 'Yall I do have some new things to report. Comic-Con fun and more. On vacation right now but I'll be posting next week on Thursday! Have a great 4th!

COMIC CON!

2011-05-15T22:21:00.000-07:00

It's almost SDCC time again! I'm going to be making a small limited edition character. Working on the design, sneak peeks as soon as they come!

WORKING ON SOME NEW STUFF!

2011-04-04T22:28:00.000-07:00

Got a few things coming up besides Robot & Monster. Paintings and an artist sketch book app. Putting it together page by page, when it is done I will spread the word!

FINAL BLACK RABBIT SNEAL PEEK!

2011-02-21T17:48:00.000-08:00

The piece for the Black Rabbit show 3-11-11 at Gallery 1988. Hope to see you there!

OMI SIGNING!!!!

2011-02-16T22:34:00.000-08:00

So yes there is the INLE show coming up but what will you be doing on Thursday the 3rd? You will come to the Omi signing! Munky King A bunch of cool artists will be there signing the new OMI mask vinyls at Munky King from 7 to 10 Come on down! There will be one of a kind artists customs available too.

SNEAK PEEK!

2011-02-13T13:49:00.000-08:00

I have an in progress pic of my piece for the up coming INLE show. Revisiting my Big Violent Rabbit character in a new Black Rabbit format.

CONJOINED IN 3D!

2011-02-02T23:10:00.000-08:00

My "Santa-Krampus-Robot" was completed for the Conjoined in 3D show curated by Chet Zar. This was an original sculpt done in Super Sculpey, I documented the process and will posting in stages here at the Making Stuff blog. If you are just getting started with Super Sculpey I will share what ever tricks and tips I know.

THE INLE SHOW 3/11/11!

2011-02-02T23:04:00.000-08:00

Greg Simkins asked me to participate in the the INLE show at Gallery 1988 this March.
He has invited over 100 artists to interpret the Anti-Hero of Richard Adam's Watership Down. I'll be sure and post more info as it becomes available and a sneak peek of my painting.

CREATIVE SPACES!

2010-11-19T23:04:00.000-08:00

Check out photographer Kevin Knight's new project "Creative Spaces" A photo study of artists in their work spaces. Kevin is an amazing photographer and I had fun letting him capture my messy creative environment. Also featured: Lola, Chet Zar, Angry Woebots, Greg Simkins and many more.

SKETCH THEATRE!

2010-11-19T22:49:00.000-08:00

Sketch Theatre is a site dedicated to the art of the sketch, in time-laps video.
They have many cool pop artists and they just posted the sketch I made for them at Comic-Con last summer. Thanks Lilly!

SPECTRUM 17!

2010-11-19T22:15:00.000-08:00

Spectrum 17 is out. Packed full of cool art and a sculpted piece I created for my Rivet Gallery show. Pick up a copy, enjoy.

DESIGNER CON!

2010-11-16T22:14:00.000-08:00

Hope to see you all at Designer Con this coming Saturday. I'm not signing, but I will be just hanging out checking out toys and art. Look forward to seeing you all there!

BLACK IN WHITE (AND RED ALL OVER)!

2010-10-02T13:29:00.000-07:00

The new Luke Chueh vinyl creation is here. Tonight there's a signing and release party at Munky King- Signing 4-7 pm party 7-10. I had the pleasure of sculpting this figure. Working with Luke is always fun & challenging.

We got hang out a bit at SDCC after his signing.

This pic was taken as we were finalizing the B & W sculpt at Munky King. Patrick Lam my self and Luke. Also notice the Angry Clobber Monkey sculpt is sitting there waiting for his turn to be scrutinized. Look forward to seeing you all there tonight!

THUMBTACK PRESS!

2010-09-26T00:24:00.000-07:00

A great resource for purchasing quality prints from your favorite artist: Thumbtack Press I've been working with TP for a couple years now. Their website has been revamped, and they have some new artist. Here a link to my page.

I'M BACK!

2010-08-29T22:34:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a while since my last post. We took a family trip to the Galapagos Islands it transcended amazing. Seeing relatively untouched nature so up close and personal. Here's a nice pic I got of a Marine Iguana. He had just swam up to the beach and climbed up just a couple of feet from me.

Then it was back to work at Nickelodeon working away on Robot & Monster. Next summer I believe the first promos for the show will start airing. I can’t wait! At that time I think I'll be able to show some of the incredible work that is going into the show.

I have a couple of new fabrication / sculpture projects in the near future that I will make sure to document. in the meantime thanks for putting up with pauses between postings,
I’ll always come back!

I'LL BE TWEETING YOU!

2010-07-23T23:07:00.000-07:00

At SDCC I'll be sending out Tweets just before my signings and such. If you're not following me yet now's the best time ever: Follow Me! See ya there!

Love Conquers All!

2010-07-22T18:49:00.000-07:00

I have a new painting in the Love Conquers All show at Think Space GalleryAugust 7th through the 28th. 20% of the proceeds of the show will be donated to Equality California

My piece is titled "True Love" Acrylic on wood. Painted on a 9"X12" wooden box frame. I love these, making or finding the right frame has always been trouble for me, this way it's out of the equation. I won't be attending the opening, but there will be many other cool artists showing. Enjoy!

SDCC 2010!

2010-07-16T23:24:00.000-07:00

All right, I finally have my Comic-Con appearance schedule. For all of you that will be there next weekend I hope to see you. Sat the 24th I’ll be at the Munky King booth #4539 @ 4 pm signing the new OMI custom mask.

Sunday the 25th @ 11 am I’ll be at the Dragatomi booth #3848 Signing my Angry Clobber Monkey vinyl. This will be my first time signing the Clobber Monkey at Comic-Con! Then at noon I’ll be doing some live sketching at the Sketch Theatre booth #5563 an amazing web production where you can see videos of some of the most popular contemporary artists drawing in time laps video. Check back for more updates. See ya next weekend!

OMI!

2010-07-15T18:47:00.000-07:00

Munky King has created a new blind box sensation the Omi. Inspired by Asian Opera masks the Omi will have an artists series release as well as a DIY version. I had the pleasure of sculpting the mask as well as being a part of the Series 1 collection.

I'll be at Comic-Con Sat the 24th 4pm at the Munky King Booth #4539 I'll be posting a couple more SDCC happenings in the next couple days.

MISTER FAST FOODFIGURE FIRST STEP!

2010-07-14T22:20:00.000-07:00

The first thing is to take the design and make a rough sketch of the pose and get an idea of the size. I want the finished sculpt to be roughly 6 to 7 inches tall at it's highest point. The hamburger should end up being a bit higher then the head for a more grand animated pose. I traced over the smaller image in the top of the comic page, since it was partially cropped I just guessed the missing parts. I think it will look nice if the cape sweeps around behind him.

With this pic I'll take some of the real features from the Randy face and incorporate them into the caricature. Most times for me it's better not to over sketch and work details out in the sculpt. Next we start slinging some clay!

MR FAST FOOD FIGURE!

2010-07-07T23:49:00.000-07:00

For those of you who listen to the Pretty Good Podcast are familiar with Gina & Randy and Randy's Mr Fast Food Segments. Matt Marikian created a comic art piece of Randy's alter ego. Being that I'm a big fan of the PGP and love a challenging character sculpt. I offered to make a sculpture of MFF for Randy and let the PGP fans get a step by step peek into the process of turning a 2 dimensional piece of art into a 3D sculpt. Creating a articulated figure of MFF would be a major undertaking. For now I can do one excellent original sculpt. I'm getting started and I'll post the first steps before the week is up.

VADER PROJECT AUCTION NEXT WEEK!

2010-07-04T10:53:00.000-07:00

Here it comes, July 10th. I received the email flyer for the auction and it features the Masks by Paul Frank, myself and Fawn Gehweiler. Very cool.

ANOTHER GREAT MUNKY KING TOY!

2010-06-28T23:45:00.000-07:00

The New Luke Chueh Black In White will have an advanced release at SDCC this year.
Working with Luke is always creative and satisfying.

This is my final version of the sculpt. It turned out nice, we made adjustments to the knife handle so it could be held by the rabbit while in the costume.

The final meeting when we all checked out the finished sculpt. I can't wait to see the finished figure at SDCC, I'll be there Sat & Sun.

THE VADER PROJECT!

2010-05-27T21:33:00.000-07:00

If you have been following The Vader Project, or you just are a fan of customized Darth Vader masks you may want to check out this show.

All 100 customized Darth Vader helmets will be on view in Los Angeles for this special 10-day event!

Opening Night Party
Friday, June 11 6pm - 10pm
With DJs The Crystal Pharaoh and
The Sucklord from BAND of the LOST

Saturday, June 12 2pm
Catalog signing with over 20 participating artists

Open Daily from Noon - 6pm June 12 - 20
6812 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles CA 90036

For more information or to pre-order a limited edition auction catalog go to http://thevaderproject.com/

I'll be there for the opening party on Friday night to have fun and sign programs.Also I believe this is the last chance to see the masks before they are auctioned off.
See ya there!

TEAM SMITHEREEN IS ON THE AIR!

2010-05-12T23:10:00.000-07:00

After a long wait Team Smithereen is going to be on Disney XD. It's a series of shorts of the worst stunt team ever. They get blown up, crushed, burned and exploded! I co-created the show with Dan Clark and Don Asher, also I designed the characters. A whole squad of talented artists and puppeteers helped make this a reality. Check out the promo and watch this weekend!

Here's an older post about TS where I do some show and tell with the puppet sculpts here!

SPECTRUM! AGAIN?!

2010-05-06T22:45:00.000-07:00

Just found out that my sculpture “Punch- Bot!” Has been accepted in the Spectrum Fantastic Art Annual #17.

The piece was something I had been toying with for a while.
It was hard to think what to make it out of
the materials turned out to be a combo plater or as they say in the art world “Mixed Media”. Super Sculpey, Balsa Foam, Styrene plastic and wood. I imagined this being an old beat up board walk / carnival arcade game - robot. Someone would put in a quarter and Smasho! lights out. Maybe not the most popular game but it would deliver on it’s promise.

It was difficult photographing the cape. I made this cool cape and collar when one checks out the sculpt it’s easy to see. When I went to photograph it the whole figure ended up being kind of a not photo friendly figure.

Many angles but not one that showed off all aspects. I ended up doing a bit of Photoshop work that brought together the best of 3 pictures.

Someday it would be amazing to make this full size, with an aluminum body and the ability to roll around, and of course punch things!

HELLO OLD FRIEND!

2010-05-02T16:46:00.000-07:00

I haven’t abandoned the blog although I’m sure it seems that way lately. Between family life and working on Monster & Robot I have not had time to squeeze in much else. At least anything that would be fun or informative to read. I have a small thing coming out with Munky King for release this summer, and I’ll be at Comic-Con for sure.
If there’s any Angry Clobber Monkey vinyls left by then I’ll be sure to make myself available to sign them. Speaking of the ACM, I just want to say thanks to all of the supporters out there who bought the figure! It’s been selling fantastic around the country and beyond. Also I’ve been asked about if there’s a follow up toy in the works.
There’s a couple ideas I’ve been cooking up with Munky King, although I think it may have to wait until next year. I’ll be doing a few bits and pieces around at shows in LA, and something in November that I will talk up more as we get closer to Fall.

If you haven’t checked out Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Mars Attacks 12 Inch deluxe figure of the Martian Soldier, this piece is amazing! The detail, the articulation, a long over due high quality figure for a movie that was lacking in amazing toy products. It’s a bit pricey but I love the designs of the martians, and I’m a sucker for anything with a skull.

More postings on the way!

HUNT AND GATHER!

2010-03-30T09:17:00.000-07:00

HUNT and GATHER
Group show and book launch curated by Tina Zeigler
Friday April 9th 7-10 pm and Book signing Sat April 10th 6-8pm
At the new Thinkspace gallery: 6009 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232 (310) 558-3375

Hope to see you there. Hunt and Gather is an amazing new Art compilation of up and coming artists from around the world. I was fortunate to be featured with many other amazing artists.
I plan on attending the art opening on Friday, and the book signing on Sat.
Hope to see you all there!

Also you can order the book on Amazon!

THE KREUTZER SONATA- UK THEATRICAL RELEASE!

2010-03-10T22:36:00.000-08:00

One of the things I do sometimes is a bit of acting. It was something I enjoyed and pursued before the art thing just became more important. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to play a small but fun part in the movie The Kreutzer Sontata. My good friend Bernard Rose adapted and directed this controversial Tolstoy short story.
It stars Danny Huston and Elisabeth Röhm, I had fun working with both of them, and the rest of the talented cast. This month it is having it's theatrical debut in the UK.

I wish I could be there to see it in the theaters. At least I can tell all my friends across the pond check it out if you have a chance!

XFUNS INTERVIEW!

2010-02-17T22:18:00.000-08:00

XFUNS Magazine out of Taipei Taiwan, a very cool toy art and character design magazine, did an amazing interview and art spread about my career and character creations. Not sure where to pick it up, but it's a beautiful publication, also with interviews from James Jarvis, Plastic God, Marka27,Jesse Hernandez and many others!

ROBOT & MONSTER BEST FRIENDS FOREVER!

2010-02-04T14:50:00.000-08:00

The day is finally here. My little guys Robot & Monster have become an animated show for Nickelodeon. Thanks to my partners on the show Joshua Sternin and Jeffrey Ventimilia who really brought the R&M world to life.
Production is getting underway and the first episodes should air in the fall of 2011. So you have plenty of time to set your Tivo. I couldn't be happier. Nickelodeon has made developing this show one of the best creative experiences I've had working with a network. I'll keep you posted on production and share as much as I can. Usually it is kept under wraps until it's time to air!

ELECTRIC PLAYGROUND INTERVIEW!

2010-01-22T11:50:00.000-08:00

The electric Playground did a segment about vinyl toys. Shawn Rogers runs Chuckwa A cool vinyl toy art emporium in Fullerton CA. It was very cool that Shawn called me to be a part of this interview.

I couldn't embed the video, so I grabbed a couple frames. Not great choices, either the one where I look frozen in the headlights, or mildly brain damaged. I figure I'll put 'em both up and doulble down on the humiliation. Watch it here. More Doubtful Guest coming up!

THE DOUBTFUL GUEST!

2010-01-05T17:47:00.000-08:00

This christmas I wanted to make something special for my wife Lisa. She has always been an Edward Gorey fan, and I had always wanted to have an excuse to make a figure of the Doubtful Guest.

The cover of the book is the most famous and classic pose. Reproducing it faithfully with only the one drawing to work with was the second part of the challenge. I studied all of the art in the book and came up with many ideas for the other side of his body and face.

The trickiest piece ended up being the scarf. The implied weight, of the wrap around his neck, the fluttering tassels and exactly how is it tied around his neck? The drawings show the tie in a great flow and drape, now to actually figure out what I will be sculpting.

First I took a scan of the book art and enlarged it to the same size as I wanted the final piece to stand. Using that as the model I sketched over it just to help my brain figure out how the 3D version would work.

This sketch is how I interpreted the loop around. I think it was right.

The drawing also helped to work out the armature, and where the breaks would be for the molding process. As much as I’d love to make a one piece casting this wasn’t going to be it. Usually I always try to make pieces that are free standing. The foot configuration of this character is crucial to the pose, and isn’t going to allow him to stand upright. As any toy freak knows nothing is worse that a figure that won’t stand!

A few months ago I picked up some scraps of walnut flooring in the trash. It was the perfect size for cutting and polishing a nice base. If it wasn't going to be a free standing figure at least it would have a handcrafted base.

After the initial lay-up of the clay on the armature, I sized up the body roughed out the figure. Eventually I had the smooth version of body. The feet were on separate little armatures so they could be removed. In the finished piece I wanted the feet to be molded and attached as different pieces.

At this point I had started to audition a texture technique. I tried a few different tools until I found a couple that would make the varied texture that resemble the ink lines of the art. The scarf was the next big piece. I wanted the same angles as the art. The hard clay actually would hold the shape long enough to figure out how to sculpt the final scarf parts, and where to split them for molding. More texture and finishing tomorrow.

NEW SCULPT TEASER!

2010-01-04T22:44:00.000-08:00

Hey there, I'll be posting pics and info of my new sculpt project tomorrow. Here's one pic can you guess what the mystery sculpt is?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

2009-12-28T21:17:00.000-08:00

Hope every one is having a great holiday. I'm in Telluride with the family doing a bit of skiing and relaxing.

Next week I'm posting some pictures of a new sculpt. Happy new year!

STATUE OF TAWERET!

2009-12-16T10:23:00.000-08:00

I went to Gallery 1988 last night for The Lost Underground Art Project. As always it was a huge seen. People lined up down the block. I understand fans were camped out in front of the gallery 24 hours before the show, wow that is commitment. I was able to see most of the art. I wasn't able to get close to the wall where the custom Statues Of Taweret were being displayed. Check out Viny Pulse for great pics.
The resin statue was sculpted and cast by the talented Julie B.

I wanted to stick to the idea of an aged relic. just push the elements into a darker place. I get all of my rodent skulls from Necromancer,

I get all of my rodent skulls from Necromancer, I believe this one was a Muskrat.

The watch parts are brass when I brush on the copper sulphate which transfoms the parts into the amazing green color. It contrasts with the burnt orange color of the rust.

THE LOST UNDERGROUND ART PROJECT!

2009-12-14T23:18:00.000-08:00

Gallery 1988 is hosting the Lost Underground Art Project. Tuesday Dec 15th 7 to 10 PM. I did a special piece for the show. I can't sneak peek, but I will post picks after the opening tomorrow. I'll be there to check it out. Hope to see you there.

ROTOFUGI!

2009-11-30T10:37:00.000-08:00

I had a great time at Rotofugi last Saturday, thanks to everyone who came out.

I had a great time at Rotofugi last Saturday, thanks to everyone who came out. Thanks to my friend Don Asher for taking pictures.

Kirby was an excellent host, and runs a kickass vinyl store & gallery.

Waiting for the crowds.

Some of my good friends from Chicago, Debbie, Rich, and Mitch.

Signing some posters, there are some available at through Rotofugi.

I picked up one of the Ashly Wood World War Robots, too amazing! Such an excellent piece, I think I'm jealous! In a good way. San Francisco is my next target for a signing... More info soon.

ANGER FOR THE PEOPLE!

2009-11-23T00:33:00.001-08:00

Here it is the new Angry Clobber Monkey poster. It will debut at my Rotofugi signing next Sat the 28th. 11 X 17 on nice UV poster paper stock retailing for only $20 the following week it will be available through my website boutique and at Munky King LA.

THE NEW ANGRY CLOBBER MONKEY POSTER!

2009-11-19T16:31:00.000-08:00

I made this time laps video of the drawing and inking of the "Anger For The People" poster that I'm releasing at Rotofugi on the 28th.

The time laps is fun to play with, Next I'll figure out how to get some close-ups in there. Enjoy! -- Also I'll be posting a pic of the finished "Anger For The People" poster here on Monday Nov 23!

DESIGNERCON THIS WEEKEND!

2009-11-18T18:23:00.000-08:00

Whatcha' doing this Sat? Come over to Designercon at the Pasadena Convention Center! I'll be there from 11 to 1pm with Munky King singing Angry Clobber Monkeys. The Clobber Babe will be there too! Taking pictures and being fun. It'll be a warm up for the Rotofugi signing in Chicago the following Sat.

THE LAST ENDORPHIN FINISHED!

2009-11-18T17:34:00.000-08:00

Here's a couple of pics of the finished piece.

Window box: 17” Wide X 10” Tall X 3.5 Deep
Endorphin Figure: 5” Tall X 5” Long X 2.75” Deep
Super Sculpey and Resin.

The window box opens for closer inspection. Box is ready to hang on the wall, or
sit flat.
Hope you have a chance to go by Gallery 1988 and see it in person.

THE FINAL VIVISECT SHOW!

2009-11-17T11:58:00.000-08:00

I’m posting a small preview of the piece I will have at the final Vivisect Playset Show at Gallery 1988. At the very first show in fall of 2004 I created an installation that featured a new character that I had been playing with. Little round happy flying creatures, some with sharp teeth, at the time we were just referring to them as “The Pigs”.

The first installation in 2004

They evolved over time and became the Endorphins. The Endorphins really came to full evolution by 2007 at my Toy Explosion show. This being the “Final Playset” it only seemed appropriate to actual cut one of these guys open and see what made them go.

I’m no scientist, but doing that lateral dissection of an actual Endorphin was quite fascinating and revealed some unexpected anatomical oddities, sharp teeth, a poison gland, a fairly large stomach that had some interesting content that I will put back in when the specimen is mounted.

Currently I’m coating the body in a preserving shellac, and mounting it in a window box. Come check it out. Maybe for a future show I’ll debone one and taxidermy the skeleton.

THE FINAL VIVISECT PLAYSET!

2009-11-13T22:15:00.000-08:00

I am excited and sad for the final Vivisect Playset at Gallery 1988. Thanks to Luke Chueh I was invited to be a part of the very first one. It was me, Luke, young Joe Ledbetter, the always fantastic Peter Gronquist and my friend Thomas Han. Fall of 2004 at a relatively new G1988. It was a great idea, lots new art energy in a new space. I had a blast. I have a great art piece for this final show based on the Endorphin characters, that I first created for the original show. The worst part is I won't be there for the the farewell party. I'll be in Chicago, visiting family and preparing for my Angry Clobber Monkey event at Rotofugi. I will definitely show some pics here on the blog of the finished piece and be thinking of all you guys the night of the show.
Cheers to the Vivisect Playset!

SPECTRUM 16 IS HERE!

2009-11-12T23:38:00.000-08:00

Spectrum 16: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art is here! My art appears on pages 137 and 218. Plus about a bazillion other incredible artists in all the other pages. Get it on Amazon!

ORIGINAL ANGRY CLOBBER MONKEY ART!

2009-11-12T11:47:00.000-08:00

The Angry Clobber Monkey is out and he is (Hate to use such a cliché phrase) selling like hot cakes! Thanks to all the ACM supporters who are making this such a successful art toy! When I was developing the packaging art I did many sketches trying to illustrate a narrative about Doctor Maker and the ACM before I came up with the final versions that appear on the box. My process is to sketch up in blue pencil, tighten up the ones I like in graphite, then finish with ink.

After the packaging was finalized I have a folder full of development art that all work pretty well as stand alone pieces. So I’m selling the collection as individual pieces in nice frames. They vary in size, 8X10 11X17 8X12 all original pen & ink signed, each one of a kind. Here’s a sample 11X17 the larger ones will go for $250 smaller ones $150 Such a deal! Great for the holiday giving season. I’ll have all available pieces up here on the blog by next week. If you are interested contact me through my website.
There’s a limited number of pieces, I’m still sorting through them to get a final count.
So scoop them up while you can!

DESIGNERCON 2009!

2009-11-01T14:06:00.000-08:00

Designercon- Formerly known as the Vinyl Toy Network is coming up Saturday November 21st. I will be there signing my Angry Clobber Monkey vinyl collectable, (A.K.A. Toy) and If the planets all align the Clobber Babe will be making an appearance! Looks like another fun-fest for all of us toy nerds!

ALL KINDS OF FUN STUFF COMING UP!

2009-11-01T13:39:00.000-08:00

Oh man Halloween is over! I wanted to buy some candy corn, went to the local CVS and there’s santa clause already sneering at me. Threatening holiday cheer. Eventually I found my candy corn. It’s the crappiest candy in the kingdom but one of my favorites. Candy corn is like the fruitcake of Halloween. I love fruitcake too, it gets a bad wrap for no reason, it condensed brandied fruit and nuts, balled up in a spicy cake, all things I love.

I’m getting ready for the Rotofugi Angry Clobber Monkey signing in Chicago Nov 28th. Currently I’m working on a brand new ACM poster to unveil at the signing. Also here in Los Angeles I know that Dark Delicacies Book store in Burbank hosts a signing for local artists who’s work is appearing in the Spectrum book series. I’ll have info on that when it is announced. In past issues I’ve only had work in the sculpture category. This time, for the first time I have an illustration too. I’m very excited. The piece is “The Bearer Of Bad News” it was created for my Imaginary Skies show at M Modern Gallery. The painting was sold but there are nice prints through Thumbtack Press. They do high quality prints of all your favorite artists, including me. I want to encourage everyone to purchase prints from them, bring them to my events and I’ll gladly sign them! The prints they have available are paintings of mine that have been sold long ago. Also if you have a copy of the new Spectrum 16 bring it along.

Looking forward to seeing all my peeps in the Mid-West again! Also if you have an extra fruitcake lying around....

THE ANGRY CLOBBER MONKEY COMES TO CHICAGO!

2009-10-06T10:05:00.000-07:00

I've just confirmed that we will have an ACM signing at Rotofugi Nov 28th. This is exciting for me, this will be my first event in my hometown. We are still figuring out the time and other details.
Look forward to seeing my Chicago people in November!

SPECTRUM 16!

2009-10-05T22:22:00.000-07:00

Are you familiar with the Spectrum Contemporary Fantastic Art books? I have some art that was accepted into the 16th edition. It should be out this month. I'm always happy to be along side such amazing talent. There's usually a local signing here in Los Angeles. More info as it comes in!

MORE ANGRY CLOBBER MONKEY PICS!

2009-09-23T22:06:00.000-07:00

The ACM release party was nuts! The Clobber Babe was strutting her stuff and bashed anyone who pushed her buttons. The lovely Kimberley Torres played the part well, and made the costume look great. I say the Clobber Babe was my most sexy and rediculous creation thus far.

Done in by my own creation.

Patrick Lam The real Munky King!

Julie B!

I'll keep posting as the pictures come in.

ACM TOY RELEASE AT MUNKY KING!

2009-09-20T12:46:00.000-07:00

First I want to thank everyone that came down to the MK. What a great turn out. To those who couldn't make it we missed you. Lot's of toys, customs, and the Clobber Babe was on hand to take pictures and occationally punch someone out. I was so wrapped up in visiting and signing that I didn't take any pictures! This picture was taken by my good friend Mike Longo. I am gathering links and pics right now to do a proper posting.

LIVE INTERVIEW!

2009-09-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

In case you weren't able to catch it live, here's the Vinyl Pulse interview from last week!

LIVE INTERVIEW FROM MY STUDIO! 9-15-09

2009-09-14T21:02:00.000-07:00

Hey do you want to see my cluttered little studio on live video? Tomorrow is your lucky day! At 4pm Pacific Time the fun folks at Vinyl Pulse will be doing an interview live from my studio. All this to promote the release of my first vinyl toy the Angry Clobber Monkey. (Have I mentioned I have a toy coming out?) Check out this link for all the details!

NEW PIC OF ACM CUSTOM!

2009-09-12T21:32:00.000-07:00

Here’s a sneak pic of one of the new customs, the Defunkt Version. Thousands of years in the future the age of the fun robots has passed. All that is left are the rusted out relics. Maybe there is one glimmer of hope in the one flickering light up eye.
These will be limited to a series of 4. The are run from a conveniently located and easily replaceable Lithium battery.

NEXT THURSDAY! THE WAIT IS OVER!!!!

2009-09-10T16:29:00.000-07:00

Finally it is here! The big day has arrived! The official Angry Clobber Monkey release at Munky King Melrose! I have some new customs, a couple of original sculpts, and the "Clobber Babe" will be there. What is the Clobber Babe? Come on down and find out.
I'll be posting new info up until the show.

THE PRETTY GOOD PODCAST!

2009-08-20T16:48:00.000-07:00

I had the amazing opportunity to be a guest on one of my favorite podcasts, The Pretty Good Podcast Hosted by Randy Wang & Gina Grad, lot's of fun! We talked about collector toys, puppets, and crazy Youtube clips. Give it a listen here

JUST GOT BACK FROM VACATION!

2009-08-17T09:59:00.000-07:00

Back from 10 days with the family, now I need a break. Back to work! Interesting things coming up this week, new customs to show, Angry Clobber Monkey release party Sept 17th, I even have some of my art being published in a couple cool books for this fall.
Everything is going great with the Nickelodeon pilot, also there's a little indie movie stuff coming up. Tune in this week, new entries and info all week. I promise!

DID I SAY SEPTEMBER 10th? I MEANT THE 17th!

2009-08-06T10:48:00.000-07:00

Small adjustment in the Angry Clobber Monkey release at Munky King.
Thursday September 17th!! This is it, lock it in! No more changes.
(Famous last words.)

NEXT... THE ACM RELEASE!

2009-07-27T22:39:00.000-07:00

First I want to thank every one that took the time to come say HI at my signings at SDCC, and those who purchased the customs that I brought down. Special thanks to the fan who gave me his mechanical pencil!
Now that Comic-Con 09 is in the rearview mirror, I’m focusing on the big Angry Clobber Monkey release party at Munky King the Sept 10th! New customs on the way, plus some other special things. Keep coming back for new posts, and sneak peeks.

MYSTERY BOX!

2009-07-21T08:25:00.000-07:00

What is that strange black box? What is he writing on it? It is soooooo mysterious!
Guess you’ll just have to come to Comic-Con and find out!

NEXT CUSTOM ANGRY CLOBBER MONKEY!

2009-07-20T22:15:00.000-07:00

The Next Custom Angry Clobber Monkey the WWII Soviet ACM. Russia had it’s own armor division of ACM’s.

These will also be at SDCC Munky King booth 4539. I got a couple more to show before SDCC.

MORE ACM CUSTOMS!

2009-07-17T00:34:00.000-07:00

More customs rolling out! Here's another one, the German Afrika Korps ACM. It is not widely known that during world war 2 the German armor division put into service several captured Angry Clobber Monkeys on the front lines in Northern Africa.

The ACM's were liberated at the end of the war. It is rumored that a Russian ACM was seen near hitler's bunker when he allegedly committed suicide.
The official release of the standard ACM will be September 10th at Munky King in Los Angeles. More details to come. At Comic Con we will have a variety of my hand made customs. Keep checking the blog for peeks all this week!

MEET JACK HOWE!

2009-07-14T00:32:00.000-07:00

My good friend and genius assemblage artist Jack Howe was in town this weekend.
He dropped by my studio with his effervescent wife Trudy to visit, and take a few pics of his latest work. These pieces are what Jack calls “Pocket Shrines” Jack has a talent for finding the most amazing trinkets and bizarre antique curiosities them transforming them into story art.

Here’s a few of his latest works that can be seen at Gold Bug in Pasadena.

Jack can describe in great detail how every individual part of the piece tells a story.

Each box opens to reveal an entire scene.

Here, Jack demonstrates the pure escents of low brow art.

ACM CUSTOMS FOR SDCC!

2009-07-03T21:34:00.000-07:00

I'm creating a batch of ACM customs for SDCC here's a little sneak of the "So Very Dark" versions. I'm using Wild Fire invisible UV paints.

In regular light they will just appear white on black. I'm hand painting every one so they will all be unique.

YHWH RELEASE!

2009-07-03T09:12:00.000-07:00

I just got a link from Ronnie Pirovino from The Art Collectors for the Mark Ryden's YHWH Pre-Order from Porterhouse Fine Art Editions.
I still haven't had the chance to see one of these in person yet, I can't wait!

LOOK WHAT I GOTS!

2009-06-18T16:58:00.000-07:00

The very first Angry Clobber Monkey figures have arrived! Here in the back of my car these are just a few that I am customizing for Comic Con San Diego. It is reassuring that they are finally on there way! I'll have some pics of the customs as the are done!

THE RIVET GALLERY!

2009-06-14T23:32:00.000-07:00

Had a great time at the Rivet Gallery last weekend. Laura and Scott were fantastic hosts, and the gallery space is amazing. I met a slew of talented local artists, Columbus Ohio has a thriving arts culture in the Short North district. Every first weekend of the the month there’s a arts festival. The crowd was thick and partied late into the night. Not me though, I'm old and went to bed early. Although I had a great surprise visit from my Mom & her husband Jeff, who drove 6 hours from Chicago just to see my little show.

Me and Laura! Pretend my eyes are open.

A view of the Rivet with Doctor A & Chris Ryniak collaborative sculpt in the foreground.

Scott checking out the careful precise positioning of my sculptures.

Me an' Scott!

If you are in the Columbus area, or just in the midwest it’s worth the trip! Also check the art that is still available from the show, and they have an amazing show coming up next month! I will be returning! Thanks again to the whole Rivet Gallery crew!

ANOTHER SECRET PROJECT REVEALED!

2009-06-10T21:59:00.000-07:00

So it always seems I have several secret projects up my sleeve at any given moment.
Waiting for the right time to reveal them is always tricky, or sometimes I just have to wait until the press release hits the news:

Nickelodeon Greenlights Two Animated Comedy Series,
Planet Sheen and T.U.F.F. Puppy

Plus, Network Picks Up Three Pilots, The Fleeps, Robot & Monster: Best Friends Forever and You’re a Bad Man, Mr. Gum

“Nickelodeon’s newly ordered pilots will be overseen by Birkner Rawlings, who has just been promoted to Vice President, Animation Development, for Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group. They include Robot & Monster: Best Friends Forever, a buddy comedy featuring a relentlessly ambitious robot and a pathologically positive monster. The project was created by Dave Pressler (Los Luchadores!), Jeffrey Ventimilia (That ‘70s Show), Joshua Sternin (That ‘70s Show) and will be directed by feature animation veteran Sam Levine.”

To read the whole release check out this link: Toon Zone News

For the last year or so I’ve been having a great time working with Nickelodeon, Birk (And The whole team), Josh & Jeff and most recently Sam developing my little guys Robot & Monster into a very funny animated comedy. It’s going to be a very busy summer working on the pilot, I couldn’t think of a better way to spend it! I’ll have more reports as they come along.

RESIN ROBOTS! RIVET GALLERY!

2009-06-03T21:04:00.000-07:00

Gettin' ready to head off to Columbus Ohio for "The Study" at Rivet Gallery.
See you there this Sat!

PUNCH BOT AT RIVET GALLERY!

2009-05-31T22:04:00.000-07:00

With the Rivet Gallery show fast approaching a advanced peek of one of the original sculpts would be in order. The “Punch Bot” will be there. A mixed bag of Super Sculpey, styrene and Balsa foam brings this robot into 3D. I wanted the look to be in the spirit of the boardwalk arcade attractions. Twenty five cents and let the beating begin. This is a one off original sculpture. I’ll also have some limited edition resin. If you won’t be in the Columbus Ohio area and are interested in purchasing one of the pieces you can contact Laura @
Rivet Gallery.

NEW WORK COMING UP!

2009-05-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's difficult to be working on new art, and documenting simultaneously.
Currently I've been working on some new stuff for the group show "The Study" at Rivet Gallery in Columbus Ohio. I'm looking for ward to being there for the opening Sat June 6th. The Mid west is great in the Summer! I will have some paintings as well as limited edition resin creations. An Automated Pirate, as well as "THE LAST" Robot Gangster Mouse.
Also the one off sculpture "Punch Bot" I'll be posting sneak peek pics here tonight.
The long awaited Angry Clobber Monkey is coming along nicely, but still a bit of a wait. The factory is doing a wonderful job, and it will be arriving in the USA the first week of July. We were really expecting a late May release, I guess I'll just keep my mouth shut until they are actually here. Although at the Rivet Gallery show I will have an actual Angry Clobber Monkey vinyl toy on display!!! Not for sale, but for show and tell.
This is not a Prototype! But an actual factory sample of the finished product.
YAY!

I'M BACK!

2009-05-12T22:31:00.000-07:00

Hey there I disappeared in a work hole for a bit. Right now I’m working on a big project I would love to tell you all about! But (Sigh) I can’t at the moment. I will be very excited to write all about it, hopefully by Fall I can spill the top secret beans. This weekend is the Skully Show at Chuckwa Sat check out the excellent photobucket gallery. Right now I have some shows coming up. Soon at Munky King we will be doing the Angry Clobber Monkey release, as soon as it is scheduled you won’t be able to shut me up about it. For those of you in the Mid West I have an event at Rotofugi first weekend of June and I’m in a cool show at the Rivet Gallery in Columbus Ohio June 6th I’m gonna be there too! More details as they arrive. Also more to come on the making of the Mark Ryden YHWY vinyl. The traffic has been strong here at the Making Stuff blog! So thanks for coming back again and again.

CUSTOM SKULLY!

2009-04-25T13:34:00.000-07:00

I'll have 2 custom Skully's in the custom mini Skully show at Chuckwa in Fullerton CA. Over 90 artists took a whack at making this cool little piece their own.

"There's Something In My Eye" #1 and #2 will be available at the show, opening May 16th! I'm really into rusting up toys lately.

THE SHADOWS KNOW!

2009-04-20T16:12:00.000-07:00

Another aspect of the smoothing technique, using light and shadow to reveal tiny details.
I'm again using the old YHWY sculpt for a demo. Usually you will use his method when you have reached the final smoothing stages, at the finishing point.

THE SMOOTHING TECHNIQUE!

2009-04-18T17:39:00.000-07:00

I was looking for any good coverage I might have of the smoothing technique that I talk about. That is one of the number one things I am asked about when it comes to sculpting.
My good friend Don Asher helped me out by shooting this short video. The YHWY sculpt still exists. It's kind'a beat up, but was in great shape to do a little demo. I keep almost all of the sculpts that I make for vinyl. Unless they are completely destroyed by the molding process.

WHAT ABOUT THE BODY!

2009-04-14T09:51:00.000-07:00

The roughing out of the body, legs and arms. The figure has to balance on it’s own before the sculpt can move forward. The foot positioning was going to be the solid foundation for the figure. I arranged it so the right foot was flat and the left foot toe made contact with the ground to form a solid triangular base.

The legs and butt form a flat table top for the body to rest. The bell shape of the dress is solid in the interior and has a flat level surface. You can see a line on the forehead this is to center the head body and legs. When the sculpt is converted to vinyl there’s no way to control any shifts the material will make over time. Figuring out which parts will be rotocast “Hollow Vinyl” or injection Solid plastic. Any part that bears weight will usually be injection plastic.

Tiny arms tiny hands. Check out the previous post where I go over how to set up the armature wire with thread: http://davepresslersculpting.blogspot.com/2007/11/sculpting-arms.html Getting the tiny fingers with finger nails is going to take allot of freeze spray and a magnifying glass.

The rough arm and hand taking shape. I ran into a piece of armature wire (I hate that!) It got buzzed down with a dremmel tool.

Checking that the arms are the same size. And the pose matches the original panting as closely as possible.

My work space in 2006. Hmmm cluttery!

THE HEAD THE FACE THE EYES!

2009-04-09T23:06:00.000-07:00

As the face was coming together it was time to insert the eyes. It’s necessary to have a full hard plastic half sphere the eyeball remains consistent.

Hey it’s children of the damned! This is the initial positioning of the eyes. The orbs will be the perfect size when they are set back in the head. All of Mark’s girls have very large saucer eyes. Also you notice there is line etched in the center of the face. At this point it’s important to define where the center of the face is.

After gouging out a socket for the eye, I started to rough out the lids and brow ridge.

This is the part where it takes the most concentration. To keep smoothing, comparing to the art and getting the face just right. At this stage I use smaller loop tools. It’s almost like doing cross hatching on a sketch, removing very little clay.

Having a small mirror helps to make sculpting the symmetry and ears easier.
Study the mirror view and copy it.

The mouth was not working out. Mark and I had some conversations about the mouth being cuter and more full. Sometimes for me the easiest thing is to wipe the slate clean and start fresh with a new idea. Never be to precious with your sculpts! Always be ready to slice off a nose or chop the mouth off. It feels like “Oh my god, but I put so much work into that!” If it’s not working it’s just in the way. Besides doing it a second time is always faster, you already did it once.

The new mouth was based on another of Mark’s sketches. More full “Sexy Innocence” if you will.

Again with the freeze spray. Once the shape is right I want to start tightening the detail. The circuit freeze is again my best friend. Freeze up the clay and sculpt it while it is rigid. Repeat as necessary.

Another good technique for attaining symmetry, turn the sculpt upside down. The new perspective will reveal areas to address.

WHAT ABOUT THE EARS AND THE GIRL!

2009-04-08T10:52:00.000-07:00

When I’m working on a sculpt I want to get the entire piece roughed out. That way I can just see the entire form at once and make adjustments. The ears were going to be interesting. Not only do they have a fur texture, but some amazing folds that I wanted to really get to look right. It the same process adding hot clay to an armature, getting the rough form, then using finer tools to smooth and refine the shape.

The delicate fur texture I’ll make with a small tool. A simple etched line repeated over and over until it feels like your hand may fall off. At that point I was almost finished.
After the first pass of fur texture the clay gets brushed down with 91% Alcohol then I’ll etch the texture again. Doing several layers like this will give a richness to the overall fur texture. With vinyl it is always better to go a little deeper with the details. Details can get toned down in the process of manufacturing.

In this picture early on there fur on the outside of the ear too. Mark thought it would look better if the outer ear was smooth to contrast with the texture on the inside. This was a good note.

The outside is smoothed, it’s time to get the position on the head right. The ears had about 2 inches of armature wire sticking out so it was easy to just stab them in and play with the pose. Once the pose looked right then I added the clay, and sculpted the parts that would join them smoothly to the body.

At this stage I had done much smoothing and refining of the body and eyelids. The smoothing technique is what I get asked about the most. It’s mostly just taking a flat tool, working the clay into the rough curves and shapes, then using a large rake to take down the sculpt to smoother plains and slowly graduating to finer and finer rakes.

When it’s time to start working the final smoothing these are your best friends.
A mini torch, 91% Isopropyl Alcohol and circuit freeze spray. The first step I’ll take alcohol on a sea sponge (I like these better then the artificial sponges) rub down the clay with the sponge and smooth it out. Next fire up the torch, (Put the cap back on the alcohol and move it away. A couple times in a concentrated work frenzy I have set a lit torch down flame pointing to an open alcohol bottle) Hold the torch about 5 inches away from the clay until the surface gets nice and shinny. The blast it with the circuit freeze.
Repeat. I’ll have more smoothing as we go through the project.

I’ll return the YHWY but we must start the girl. As I said the girl was going to be challenging. Mark has mastered a very specialized female characterization of his female subjects. Capturing the subtleties was going to be hard.

The additional challenge is only having the semi 3/4 art to work with. The first step foil ball with armature wire. There are many ways to make the armature, some sculptors prefer a ball of wire. I like my foil. Next step to just get the very crude building blocks of the head and face in place.

See it looks just like the art! Next step, to just start measuring the head and face to create the rough land marks of where the features will live. In marks art I thought the eyes were a good feature to use as the measuring standard. How many eyes wide is the head? How many eyes tall is the forehead? Etc.

Many hours later the very rough face and head with basic facial geography is taking shape.

Also just looking at the art in the same angle and seeing if it looks right.

The other aspect of figuring out the girl is how will she fit together. She has a very specific pose in Mark’s painting. There was talk early on about changing her position so the vinyl would have better balance. I believe the vinyl should be a replica of the painting as much as possible. I was determined to work out a way for the girl to stand firm even with one foot up on the toes.

LEVEL NO. 36!

2009-04-07T12:55:00.000-07:00

Swedish game magazine LEVEL no. 36 has a nice little piece on my custom NES Advantage joystick I created for the "I Am 8Bit show" in 07. Thomas Sol Sunhede from Level no. 36 sent me a scan of the page.

Here is the article translation:

"This is not an copy like the rest but rather a nice "development" of the original. This piece was shown at the exhibition I am 8-bit in Los Angeles. With it's $700 price it is probably the most expensive of all NES advantage versions and it sure makes you want to take out the paint bucket again. LEVEL now wonders when the first Swedish joystick remake will pop up on Tradera (our Ebay). This writer has already sold a pink SEGA Saturn and a black Amiga but without any great profit. You'll find more funny art at davepresslerart.com."

THE IDIOT BOX!

2009-04-07T12:07:00.001-07:00

The Idiot Box show at gallery 1988! Check it out if you get a chance. The piece I created: "Unemployed Kids Show Characters" Brainy The Smoking Dog, Kevin The Drunken Furry Frankfurter and Formerly One Eyed Carl.

WHAT’S THE BACK LOOK LIKE?!

2009-04-06T23:51:00.000-07:00

That was my question! Although many of the answers were evident by following the contours of the front. The shadowing in the painting were also good roadmaps of the overall form. Subtlety was the key. The figure has such a delicate organic feel yet very specific anatomy. The next big step was to measure the thickness of the piece at various points to make sure it was accurate to the picture.

I used my cable rake to start removing and smoothing the rough form. As well as raking down bumps I’m also looking to fill in divots and depressions.

The accuracy of the anatomy will become very important when it comes time to place the eyes and ears. Through measuring the height and thickness the rest falls into place. At this stage the form still had to become more round and smooth.

Etching lines into the various points I have chosen will keep it accurate. For instance the highlight on the forehead is probably the thickest point, tapering down to the first eye as the thiner area. As always my ideas of how it will look are alway checked with Mark to keep me on the right track.

Now finding some areas the need clay added.

Adding, subtracting and more smoothing with the cable rake.

Now it’s really taking shape. My work table is alway cluttered with various projects. I see a Robot Pirate and the beginnings of the Gas Powered Dragon.

Eye positioning. Since it has to be manufactured I have to make sure a standard size acrylic half sphere can fit. Also I want them to look relaxed, not bulgy of to sunken in.
Also the delicate folds of the eyelids. It’s all about laying up the clay rough then working it down into the right shape. Also

As you can see I try to line up the eye with the relative horizontal and vertical marks on the art. It may not be exactly in the same spot, but sculpting isn’t like building a rocket ship. (Unless you are sculpting precision machine parts) This is just a teqnuqie for problem solving. If I were to get further along on the sculpt and the eye positions, or the form proportions looked all wrong I could always go back to my size sheet (The Art) and double check the measurements to help fix it. Also once everything is in the right place then it frees you up to be more artistic and work on character.

Next, what about the girl? And the ears?

LONDON MILES GALLERY!

2009-04-06T20:49:00.000-07:00

A preview of one of my pieces for the Ready Set Go show at the London Miles Gallery titled "Number 7 Reporting For Duty"

THE YWH SCULPT!

2009-04-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

Way back in 2006 Long Gone John of Necessaries Toy Foundation called me about a special project. I had sculpted the Camille’s Girls series for John and the yet to be released Sunday Girls by Fawn Gehweiler. So not only did I like working with John, I also considered him a friend. He told me this was to be a BIG TOP SECRET toy project. Hmmm so mysterious! He had been talking with Mark Ryden for some time about a vinyl art figure. I was all at once excited and a bit intimidated to be sculpting the first ( and maybe only ) Mark Ryden vinyl figure. Mark had chosen the YHWH painting (Or his son had) to be the first toy. Sculpting the girl seemed like it was going to be the trickiest part. Considering that Mark has made his female creations such a specific and amazing element to his work, and the human for is not my specialty.

After studying the painting, and getting the size specifics. I scanned the image and enlarged the print to the height of the “rabbit totem” knowing that the girl would follow in proper proportion. There had to be complete accuracy with every curve so starting the sculpt actually on the picture of the art was a great way to get the basic shape. Also the eye position was going to be a key element. The eyes in the painting are so alive and focused, that the eye line of the vinyl had to have the same intensity. I suggested to John that the final piece should have realistic plastic eyes if the budget would permit.

Balance! I had to make sure this thing was not going to topple over. If the final figure has to stand a certain way, the sculpt should do the exact same. Making this piece out of solid clay would betray the structure of the finished vinyl piece. It would end up being a hollow rotocast vinyl piece with some weights at the bottom for balance. Making the core out of aluminum foil wrapped around an armature wire with some weights at the bottom would be the way to make the sculpt.

In the beginning there was the core. A single length of armature wire with foil.

The next step was to start getting the clay on the armature. Those of you who have followed my step by steps in the past may have seen this next method before: May 2007. Let’s go through it one more time! I like to us sulphur free NSP Chavant Clay “Hard”. Put it in a microwavable container let it go until it’s like pudding. Then spread the hot clay on the armature like frosting a cake.

Get the whole thing coated and the basic form roughed out.
Once the entire foil form is coated there is a solid base to sculpt on.

As the mass builds up use a flat tool to plain down all the rough surfaces.

After adding clay and plaining into shape the rough for starts to appear. Notice there is one pencil mark on the right side indicated a particular curve. The manufacturer was concerned that this curve came out too far and would make it difficult to pull the vinyl pieces from the mold. the curve had to be taken in without changing the shape of the character too drastically

The basic form is now roughed out. The next challenging step will be eye placement, and creating the flow of three dimensional curves using the two dimensional art that I have. Also what is the back going to look like? This is where the skills of interpretation come in. Mark was far to busy to do turn around art to show me he vision for all sides of the piece. This frequently happens where I will have one piece of art to use for the sculpt and must interpret the rest. That is what I will get into in the next step.

READY SET GO!

2009-04-04T21:59:00.000-07:00

I have 2 new pieces that will be at the London Miles Gallery for their April 16th launch event: Ready. Set. Go. Tina Ziegler is curator manager of this excellent gallery. If you are in the Notting Hill area check it out!

YHWH SCULPT!

2009-04-03T15:14:00.000-07:00

The final sculpt as it appeared with the girl. More to come about the making of starting Monday.

A VERY SPECIAL POST SERIES...NEXT WEEK.

2009-03-31T12:48:00.000-07:00

Finally I can do the step by step I’ve been waiting to post for several years.
I had the pleasure and privilege of sculpting this amazing new vinyl art piece for Mark Ryden and Long Gone John’s Necessaries Toy Foundation. I documented every step and will gladly share the process. Tune in Monday next week for the first installment.

ON SPRING BREAK!

2009-03-25T21:56:00.000-07:00

I'll be back next week with more posts!

3 SHOWS COMING UP!

2009-03-20T16:28:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody, I have pieces in 3 different shows coming in the next 3 weeks.
That's allot of threes. Next week at Munky King Los Angeles The DIY Pusher Show. April 2nd at Galley 1988 "Idiot Box" 100 Artists take aim at television's guilty pleasures. Then April 11th at Red Hot Robot "The Resin Collective" Custom resin show. There will be a Gas Powered Dragon available at the Resin Collective show.

DIY PUSHER!

2009-03-16T13:53:00.000-07:00

Munky King is having a DIY Pusher show. The Pusher vinyl by the super talented Thomas Han was given to a bunch of artists to do their magic. I have pics here of my version: "The Death Of Whimsy" two will be available at the show with a slight variation. The skull is cast from one of my sculpts.
Unfortunately I won't be able to attend, it promises to be an amazing show!

CLUTTER MAGAZINE!

2009-03-08T16:46:00.000-07:00

It almost slipped through the cracks! The Clutter Magazine Blog did a nice bit on the ACM back on February 16th. The month slipped away with out me giving them proper thanks for the cool write up! Thanx Nick!

STEREO PICTURES!

2009-03-03T17:37:00.000-08:00

SO I’ve been geeking out lately on the old stereo viewers. My step son Julian wanted to do a school project on stereo photography, I was more than happy to help with the research and figuring out the technology. Plenty of sites have great step by step (I’m a fan of that) so taking the pictures was easy to figure out. The viewer was a bit more difficult. Then I thought of the album by the band Tool “10,000 Days” that actually folds out into a stereoscopic viewer with a booklet of pictures. I’ve been a fan of Tool for decades. Using that as the viewer made the whole project more home made and fun. Julian and I set up unlikely scenes in my wife’s dollhouse. My favorite was “Robot Tea Party” included below. I started to think of how could I do some of this with my own art? So with some further geeking out on my part I studied the pics from the album got an idea of how to create some stereo images with some of my illustrations and came up with an interesting experiment.

ROBOT TEA PARTY

ANGRY CLOBBER MONKEY SUNRISE

ENDORPHIN EXPLOSION

Posted here are 3 of the images. They are high rez jpgs, you should be able to click them for the larger image, pull them off this site, print them, then use the Tool album viewer to see them in 3D. It’s amazingly low tech, high entertainment value.

I would love some feedback if this is working on your end, if it goes well I’ll make more!