Tyrannosaurus clay model

[JohannesB]

I thought I needed to strengthen the left leg with a steel rod (in place of the softer aluminium wire), since it is holding such a big weight (relatively speaking). After filling the holes with clay again, mixing in some liquid polymer clay as kind of a glue, the leg is as strong as before, or stronger, I think. But for balance - and to be safe about the leg and toes not bending and breaking - I still need to give the figure a stand in the shape of a rod under the chest. The two last photos show a mockup.

[Saarlooswolfhound]

That looks like sound engineering from where I stand. So far it looks wonderful!

[Libraraptor]

Great model so far! Do you attach the forearm afterwards or do you leave them out intentionally?

[DinoToyForum]

Coming along nicely! You're doing a fantastic job with the texture. What tool did you use to achieve the scales on the head?

I also wondered what brand of clay you are using and do you recommend it?

[JohannesB]

Great model so far! Do you attach the forearm afterwards or do you leave them out intentionally?

It is because I didn't have any idea about how to approach the arms, I will put it off until last. Also because they will be relatively fragile, and since I am handling the figure all the time, sometimes roughly, I will wait until the very last.

[JohannesB]

Coming along nicely! You're doing a fantastic job with the texture. What tool did you use to achieve the scales on the head?

I also wondered what brand of clay you are using and do you recommend it?

The scales on the head are made by using a fine modelling drill tool with a very fine round diamond drill. It looks a bit rough, so I must find a way to smoothen it.

The clay I use is FIMO professional, I think it is called - it can handle a lot of reworking and baking over and over again, as I am doing because I am adding new patches all the time. But maybe all this baking many times over is not recommended. I will see how it goes. Until now, the clay is still fine, it seems. But I have to mention that a few times pieces like a toe here and there cracked, but I fixed that relatively easily with superglue (cyanoacrylate).

[irimali]

This is really a beautiful sculpt and I can't wait to see it when it's finished!  The jaws and neck really convey the strength T-rex would have had, and the ridges over the eyes remind me of birds of prey. It looks like a believable animal, and one that could kill a Triceratops with its face

[Libraraptor]

Great model so far! Do you attach the forearm afterwards or do you leave them out intentionally?

It is because I didn't have any idea about how to approach the arms, I will put it off until last. Also because they will be relatively fragile, and since I am handling the figure all the time, sometimes roughly, I will wait until the very last.

Okay, I thought you might have conveyed the idea that they could have been completely covered in flesh / grown in. Very unlikely, but still an interesting thought   I always wonder if tyrannosaur evolution could really have lead to them completely losing their forearms.

[JohannesB]

The model has become so heavy that it needs a rod (at about its centre of mass), but that's okay. I started sculpting the arms.

[JohannesB]

Making something resembling fern fronds (4cm long)

A mixture of PVA (wood) glue, a bit of plaster of Paris, acrylic paint and a few drops of water. The thread is just fine metal wire from a piece of cheap audio cable.

[Totoro]

The ferns look terrific @JohannesB.  They look similar to some plants the master @irimali has made and demo'd with a short tutorial.  I assume you've seen his threads?  If not, check them out!  Enjoying watching the progress on your creations!   

[JohannesB]

The arms took a few hours, because I wanted to give them as much detail as possible from the start. I try to do as much as I can before I bake the model again for the umpteenth time (I don't think it is good for the integrity of the clay to bake it too many times).

The position of the arms may not be 100% correct, but maybe I can "camouflage" it with building some more muscle and skin around the shoulders.

[JohannesB]

Now that I started "inserting" the eyes, I see they might be a bit too far apart (and maybe a bit too big). I might adjust them, but I am a bit hesitant, because it took some time. And on the model "in hand" it doesn't really seem that egregious of an issue.

Any ideas or criticisms?

[Stegotyranno420]

My friend, this model is so well detailed. Great job 👏

[Spinokaprogorgon]

It looks like he's showing off his arm muscles. I like it! 

[JohannesB]

It looks like he's showing off his arm muscles. I like it!

I feel like my Tyrannosaurus may be too beefy 

[Over9K]

It looks like he's showing off his arm muscles. I like it!

I feel like my Tyrannosaurus may be too beefy 

Nono! You're capturing the lifemodel of the as-yet unrecovered "True Largest" specimen!

Estimates tell us it's possible that T.rex reached 14m/15m and into the teens-of-tons, and at that size the resulting animal would be a, I believe the correct scientific technical term is "Chonky Boi".

I may have misspelled that.

[JohannesB]

I finally found a satisfying solution to the stability issue, and I am pleased, even though the metal rod is quite big and a bit unsightly. But it is necessary and it doesn't really ruin the overall design, I think. Anyway, this is what needed to be done.

As a second thing, while trying out how to best place the model, I found that it would look more natural and even more active if I made the Tyrannosaurus step OVER the big log, and not let it stand ON it. This I ultimately learned through being patient and let the process guide me, I guess. I am happy with it

But again, before I do the final baking session, I think I need to adjust the eyes: they seem a bit too far apart, right?

[Ajax88]

I think the eyes look just fine. This turned out really well!

[Faelrin]

Looks good to me. What did you use for the eyes? They look so lifelike.