1/72 Alamosaurus

[Joel]

Here is a 1/72 Alamosaurus I made, based off of Scott Hartman's skeletal restoration:

It is made out of super sculpty. I was trying to prime it grey, but someone switched the color coded cap. The details still show up, which is the important thing

[SBell]

I thought you were going for a robo-dino look!

[Joel]

I thought you were going for a robo-dino look!

Nah, he's more of a foil reconstruction !

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Looks awesome !

[tyrantqueen]

Hey, this is really good I'd like to see more sculptures from you.

Do you have any tips for sculpting dinos? How long have you been sculpting?

[Joel]

Looks awesome !

Hey, this is really good I'd like to see more sculptures from you.

Thanks guys, I appreciate it!

Do you have any tips for sculpting dinos? How long have you been sculpting?

I can think of a few tips. First off, make sure your armature is as accurate to the source material as possible. I thought I could do most of it by glancing at the picture, but it turns out that I had to redo the head three times, and the legs four times before I got it right. Second, I followed Shane's example and completed one side at a time. To do the texture, I got a very small stick of wood, and drilled small holes of varying sizes into one end of it, and pressed it into the soft clay. I used a small amount of oil on the clay to alleviate most of the sticking, and cleaned the stick every so often. After it was covered with the texture, I used two methods to create skin folds. The first way was to use a needle (an exacto blade will also do) to etch in the wrinkles over the texture. I had to be very careful as to not disturb the existing texture too much. The second way was to roll the clay into long rods, and placed them in areas near the underside of the body, such as along the neck and torso. I used a clay smoothing tool to attach the folds, and then used the wooden texture applicator along the newly formed skin. I also used the needle to create additional wrinkles where appropriate. I also used a heat gun on some areas to create a more bumpy surface. The small pockets of air inside the clay will inflate slightly, giving it a richer surface. I hope this helps!     

[Joel]

Oh, and about your other question Tyrantqueen, this is not the first sculpture I have made, but it is my first completed one. I have posted pictures of my earlier sculptures on ver.1 of the forum; here is the link http://dinotoyforum.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=art&thread=4247&page=1 .
I still have them, but I have put them on hiatus because I made the body before I figured out how to do the scales. I've tried applying new layers of clay and pressing in the scales, but my texture tool keeps peeling the clay off. When I figure out a new method, I'll resume work on them.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I think you could actually sell this one if you wanted..maybe get it casted up as a solid piece ?

[radman]

Very nice!  Look forward to seeing some finished pix. 

[tyrantqueen]

Oh, and about your other question Tyrantqueen, this is not the first sculpture I have made, but it is my first completed one. I have posted pictures of my earlier sculptures on ver.1 of the forum; here is the link http://dinotoyforum.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=art&thread=4247&page=1 .
I still have them, but I have put them on hiatus because I made the body before I figured out how to do the scales. I've tried applying new layers of clay and pressing in the scales, but my texture tool keeps peeling the clay off. When I figure out a new method, I'll resume work on them.

Oh, those look really interesting Thanks for sharing. I assume they were made using Super Sculpey?

[Joel]

I think you could actually sell this one if you wanted..maybe get it casted up as a solid piece ?

I'm going to cast this just to get one resin copy out of it for myself, because super sculpty is very brittle. If it were to fall, it would disintegrate into dust upon impact. As far as selling copies, I need to confer with Scott Hartman and ask what he thinks of it. I did use his restoration as a guide, so it's only fair if he gets a cut of each sale.

Very nice!  Look forward to seeing some finished pix. 

Thanks! As I was telling Blade above, I going to make a resin copy for myself, and then I'll post pics of the build up. I've never created a decent mold before, so it's going to be a little tricky (and messy).

Oh, those look really interesting Thanks for sharing. I assume they were made using Super Sculpey?

Yes, they are Super Sculpey. I've been thinking to start over and create other theropods (such as Yangchuanosaurus) in 1/15 scale, and use the texturing method I described above. What's holding be back is finding reliable source material; I'd rather go to the fossils themselves and get the data I need. That way, I can truly claim the sculpture as my own work. 

[Simon]

Joel - the Alamosaurus is absolutely fantastic - I only wish it was 1/40...as far as your earlier 1/40 theropods - if you were to finish them and have them cast, I would buy all 3 - regardless of whether they have scales or not ... unless you plan to redo them from scratch ...you are a very talented sculptor ....

[tyrantqueen]

Joel - the Alamosaurus is absolutely fantastic - I only wish it was 1/40...as far as your earlier 1/40 theropods - if you were to finish them and have them cast, I would buy all 3 - regardless of whether they have scales or not ... unless you plan to redo them from scratch ...you are a very talented sculptor ....

I agree with everything you said.

[Joel]

Joel - the Alamosaurus is absolutely fantastic - I only wish it was 1/40...as far as your earlier 1/40 theropods - if you were to finish them and have them cast, I would buy all 3 - regardless of whether they have scales or not ... unless you plan to redo them from scratch ...you are a very talented sculptor ....

I agree with everything you said.

Thanks you guys, that means a lot 
However, those earlier dinos I made are in 1/20 scale, but I suppose I could make some 1/40 dinos. Hmm, maybe I'll start with another Alamosaurus, and see where it goes from there. The plus side is mb-cg's wonderful models are in 1/40 scale from shapeways, and Krentz has his T. rex in that size too. There does seem to be potential in this.

[dutchdinolover]

Joel - the Alamosaurus is absolutely fantastic - I only wish it was 1/40...as far as your earlier 1/40 theropods - if you were to finish them and have them cast, I would buy all 3 - regardless of whether they have scales or not ... unless you plan to redo them from scratch ...you are a very talented sculptor ....

I agree with everything you said.

I totally agree!

[mb-cg]

Congratulations Joel, it is a wonderful sculpture!! 

[Joel]

Congratulations Joel, it is a wonderful sculpture!! 

Thank you sir, I appreciate it! I'm still thinking if I should do a 1/40 version, or create a new 1/72 sauropod, such as Brachiosaurus.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Congratulations Joel, it is a wonderful sculpture!! 

Thank you sir, I appreciate it! I'm still thinking if I should do a 1/40 version, or create a new 1/72 sauropod, such as Brachiosaurus.

1/40 always has my vote..

[Joel]

1/40 always has my vote..

Oh really? Maybe I'll create a baby sauropod, in 1/72 Scale! MUHAHAHAHAH!

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

1/40 always has my vote..

Oh really? Maybe I'll create a baby sauropod, in 1/72 Scale! MUHAHAHAHAH!

Now what on earth would I do with that ? Start a dino collection for a mouse ?  lol