Blade-of-the-Moon's Art

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

With those as references, you should be okay. But post pictures if you'd like feedback - I've got a pretty good eye for proportions, ect. 

The Brachiosaurus is gorgeous! I love the paint scheme as well - it's very appropriate for a sauropod. I really want to pet it. Even through the screen, lol. Have you come up with a way to transport it to it's new location? (Assuming, of course it doesn't stay there to do battle with pirates.  )

Awesome work again, man.

Well you can kinda see the frame for the Styrac it's hard to get a really good shot from where it's sitting but I will be moving it soon or risk tripping over it's tail.

Thanks bud ! The paint is still a work in progress..I added some black markings yesterday while the sun was out but now it's raining again... :/ , yeah I have a plan to move her...I thinking of getting 4 tires and mounting them to 2x4, then lifting up the front and back and attaching them so she'll roll to her new area. I can keep the axles then to move any as needed so no wasted money at least.. lol

[ZoPteryx]

Wow!  That looks amazing!   The color scheme really suits it.

By the way, what's that carnivore head behind the boat?

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Wow!  That looks amazing!   The color scheme really suits it.

By the way, what's that carnivore head behind the boat?

That was the head of a male JP Raptor I had made, but it's starting to fall apart..it was done with foam only. Fine for indoors but not outside.  I'm cleaning a bird nest and several wasps out of it before doing some work to get it ready for a conversion into an Allosaurus.

Worked on the steel frame for the Styrac..it's almost done.  My hands are nice and sore..not to mention bleeding..wrapping wire frames for creatures is always a bit of a pain. Did have something cool today though..a group of students from ETSU and the Gray Fossil Site stopped by and checked out my Dinos. Had a chance to share with them and talk a bit with them and their teacher. A really appreciative group of people, it was awesome !

[Arioch]

Really liking the colors on this big fella. 

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Really liking the colors on this big fella. 

Thanks bud, she's getting there... I still have to finish the black and white markings as well..

Just finished the basic frame for the Styrac skull, all foam board and hot glue, no frill yet :

[ITewan]

You are really, REALLY good at this!

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Thanks ! 

Of course there are others that blow me away..lol  This all takes a lot of work and aggravation I assure you...honestly I love ceratopsians..but I HATE drawing and sculpting them..those skulls drive me nuts !   That's one reason I went for this..it's a challenge for me. I'm going to do my best and hopefully it will cool enough and not look weird or anything. heh heh

[Patrx]

Considering your apprehension, I think the Styraco's skull looks very promising so far Any ideas on what kind of detailing you might include? Quills? A keratin-sheathed face? I don't think I've ever seen the latter in a Styracosaurus reconstruction.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Considering your apprehension, I think the Styraco's skull looks very promising so far Any ideas on what kind of detailing you might include? Quills? A keratin-sheathed face? I don't think I've ever seen the latter in a Styracosaurus reconstruction.

Thanks bud.

Yeah I could go with a keratin face..but since Chasmosaurus didn't have it..would Styracosaurus ? 

I am looking at at all sorts of bumps and spikes to add..quills could be done as well..I'm not sure to what extent though..just small spike ones or larger ?  The skull itself if  I about it based on Krentz's work it will lots of knobby scaling around the eyes, shield and nose.

[Meso-Cenozoic]

Ahh, you finished your Brachi! He turned out great!! I was going to say his head looked a little big, but then I read you're going for more of a juvenile look. I'd also like the neck a little thicker. But, it does make some sense that if it's a juvenile, his muscles and all might not be as developed yet. He is a BIG juvenile, though! Very good work, bud! I'm impressed with all your life-size sculpts.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Ahh, you finished your Brachi! He turned out great!! I was going to say his head looked a little big, but then I read you're going for more of a juvenile look. I'd also like the neck a little thicker. But, it does make some sense that if it's a juvenile, his muscles and all might not be as developed yet. He is a BIG juvenile, though! Very good work, bud! I'm impressed with all your life-size sculpts.

Thanks bud, yeah I haven't done the exact measurements but she's about 25' long or so..still small for a Brachiosaurus..lol  Yeah the head was oversized a bit for the juvi look. I kinda figured the all the muscles might not be as hefty as in a full adult..I see it in a lot of living animals..but no clue on these guys of course. I just do my best.  When I get to a juvi Apato or Diplo I'll def try for a thicker neck...to see the difference.  I have a little bit more paint to do then it's finished completely and I'll have to make wheeled axles to move her to her new location. heh

Most so far have said this Brachio is their favorite one..I guess it actually makes them feel small..it does the same for me. I look up and I'm 5 again.  

[Gryphoceratops]

Wow that brachiosaurus turned out awesome!  Like the colors.  I'm impressed how quickly you finish these. 

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Wow that brachiosaurus turned out awesome!  Like the colors.  I'm impressed how quickly you finish these.

She isn't done yet.. I have to make the black and white markings all over the body. When I have good weather , proper materials, and inspiration I can go pretty good at it.  I've already started the chicken wire on the Styrac body and that's the final step before skinning.  I hope to make some more progress on the head and shield tonight.

[sauroid]

awesome pieces Blade!

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

awesome pieces Blade!

Thanks !

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Styrac head progress :



Attaching that shield was a PAIN..lol but it's done. I'll detail and thicken it tonight.

[stoneage]

Styrac head progress :



Attaching that shield was a PAIN..lol but it's done. I'll detail and thicken it tonight.

Wow!  That really looks good.  This will be your best head yet.

[ingenia]

It is amazing how fast you are with your work. I really like these life-size sculptures, great color choice for the brachio! Did you count the hours of work?
Have you ever thought about making a sculpture with a more dynamic pose, like a jumping deinonychus for example?

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Styrac head progress :



Attaching that shield was a PAIN..lol but it's done. I'll detail and thicken it tonight.

Wow!  That really looks good.  This will be your best head yet.

Thanks man, been sweating bullets over this one ! lol

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

It is amazing how fast you are with your work. I really like these life-size sculptures, great color choice for the brachio! Did you count the hours of work?
Have you ever thought about making a sculpture with a more dynamic pose, like a jumping deinonychus for example?

Thanks ! Though fast is a matter of perspective..when doing it I'm super focused on getting it right and getting it done..when I start to wrap up I begin to think about what's next..lol

Hmm..I don't usually count the hours. The big JP Raptor took around 6 months..but I've narrowed my process down so that this Brachio took 1 month, 1 week, and 2 days from the start.  I figure I worked around 6-8 hours a day every day til it was finished so ball parking it..246 - 328 hours I think.

What is really keeping me away from the more interesting poses is stability. Here we occasionally get some pretty big winds..my poor flying pteranodon has had his wing broken twice in the past. If  I could weld, then I make steel frames that are a lot more versatile...should have taken that class in high school I guess.  Most of these dinos have nice big fiberglass frames holding them up.  A jumping dromeosaur ..a big one like Deinonychus would be very top heavy so would need a big bottom really weighed down with a nice strong support rod..for my skill level it would be some type of wood but that's not nearly strong enough I think. I've even built ship masts out of 4 inch PVC and had the wind crack it in half. I def want to do some more dynamic poses eventually though. I'd love to have a partner that could build the frames..then we would move FAST.   I may try something jumping that is smaller..perhaps a 1/1 Velociraptor ? I can do almost the entire thing out of foam and then coat it.

The Brachio is officially finished ! Here are pics of " Mary " , I'll post more once she has been moved in place later this week  I hope.










Mary is looking pretty hungry...


Well she found my pine trees...those are gone.



Mary says " Now just wait til I'm full grown..your ALL mine ! "

Styracosaurus chicken wire covering :



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