Blade-of-the-Moon's Art

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I am sorry if my questions have been answered before, but is it expensive to build such models? What material are they covered with to prevent rain from ruining the painting?

No problem at all. Not expensive compared to buying such pieces, we have the man hours involved in it ourselves of course. The T-REX ran around 1,000.00 USD if you bought one that size it would be 55,000.00 or more in some cases.  This Apato will likely have 2,000.00 or so in her.

Here's a video we shot telling a little about how we build them :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obDQkACloq4&list=UUqrg1bQ7zVAPf00Ks6vcHWA

[Doug Watson]

Here's a video we shot telling a little about how we build them :

Hey Chris,
I was enjoying your video and when you got to the head, out of the corner of my eye I spotted my Safari ltd Apatosaurus, how neat is that!

Great video, it's nice of you to share your knowledge with people. When I was at the museum we had one old world taxidermist in particular who guarded his techniques like state secrets even to the point of chasing people out of his shop if they arrived unannounced. Silly thing is all of his techniques were widely known by then and many were out of date.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Here's a video we shot telling a little about how we build them :

Hey Chris,
I was enjoying your video and when you got to the head, out of the corner of my eye I spotted my Safari ltd Apatosaurus, how neat is that!

Great video, it's nice of you to share your knowledge with people. When I was at the museum we had one old world taxidermist in particular who guarded his techniques like state secrets even to the point of chasing people out of his shop if they arrived unannounced. Silly thing is all of his techniques were widely known by then and many were out of date.

lol yep it's down there at the shop now..still providing me with a good 3D reference.   I like a good sturdy, accurate piece to work from on site, it survives drops and bumps much better than say a Kinto statue or resin kit.

Oh for sure, if we don't share our knowledge how will others be able to take up the mantel one day and progress? Shoot they may even think of things we never considered. Never to old to learn or teach for that matter.  We actually let you watch us build while visiting the Park..I've had so many people interested in the process we made the video and I'm tempted to make a mini-exhibit showing it.

I can understand where the fellow was coming from though, he had a talent or knowledge that made him valuable/special..he figured if everyone knew it he would be diminished. It's sad to say but he probably felt jealous when seeing others work not admired it.  It's totally their choice though.

[stoneage]

Chris, have you ever considered selling some of your old big yard dinosaurs to make money to make new dinosaurs?  I mean eventually your going to run out of room.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Chris, have you ever considered selling some of your old big yard dinosaurs to make money to make new dinosaurs?  I mean eventually your going to run out of room.

Not as of yet. We have around 6 acres still to put dinos in. Maybe eventually...but they would be so costly as to not really be feasible.

I mean a factory in China can crank out a medium sized fiberglass one for 20,000.00 in a week, our cost us less but take a couple months of man hours to build. Good us as a Park, bad for selling for profit.

[Meso-Cenozoic]

Thanks for your video, Chris. That was great! Can't wait to see that Apatosaurus finished. Then again, I bet you guys can't either. Hehe!

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Thanks for your video, Chris. That was great! Can't wait to see that Apatosaurus finished. Then again, I bet you guys can't either. Hehe!

No problem, we hope to shoot another showing more examples of how we do what we do.

Certainly, the sooner she's done the sooner can start work on another one! lol  The thing is she is already done in my head but the real world is so slow to catch up! 

[SpittersForEver]

wow that video explained a lot, I have one question though, where can I get some of the wire mesh?

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

The chicken wire or poultry fencing? You can buy it at Lowes, Home Depot, or any farm supply store.

[SpittersForEver]

I meant the chicken wire but thanks a lot, I might try to make something myself though I don't think it would go well 

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I meant the chicken wire but thanks a lot, I might try to make something myself though I don't think it would go well 

With an attitude such as that your setting yourself up for failure before you even start. You may have to be your own cheerleader for awhile.  Just remember it doesn't all work out over night.  Start small.  After you get one creation made you will have the confidence to make another and learn from the process of the first one so the next will be better..it just keeps going from there. 


Started outlining the neck shape. First section in place, whole 2x4 sections in 7 piece polygons with spacers to be added.   We are still accepting donations at my email via paypal : [email protected]

[fabricious]

I sure do hope to see some nice neck wrinkles on the big lady, Chris?

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I sure do hope to see some nice neck wrinkles on the big lady, Chris?

Doubtful I'm afraid.  There may be a dividing line/wrinkle from the top of the neck area from the bottom, but essentially we don't do many wrinkles and baggy skin. A bit too elephant-like.

[fabricious]

Looking at monitor lizards, big tortoises and green iguanas, I'd say it's quite feasible. But fair enough, it's probably a question of personal taste!

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Looking at monitor lizards, big tortoises and green iguanas, I'd say it's quite feasible. But fair enough, it's probably a question of personal taste!

It is to a degree. It's also a limitation of this material . You want it pull nice and tight over the musculature if at all possible ..sort of like shrink wrapping is how it's done...or ironing. Once you get it tight no more wrinkles.  I can add some wrinkles with foam applied..but to do so many would look like  a vine is growing on her I'm afraid.

Working on the fins for the Mosasaurus..this is what I have so far based on the CollectA Mosa:

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Framing up the neck...this thing is HUGE! I hope it stays up when we remove the supports.

[edu]

I hope it stays up when we remove the supports.

It's really big, I wonder how are you planning to keep that long neck in the air! Are you using some kind of support in the middle, like in the t-rex?

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I hope it stays up when we remove the supports.

It's really big, I wonder how are you planning to keep that long neck in the air! Are you using some kind of support in the middle, like in the t-rex?

If you look carefully you will see two supports there. We are hoping to take those out and the neck will stay in the air..if we've braced it enough which I REALLY hope is the case.

The tail has me a little more concerned believe it or not. The long thin "whip" at the tip could easily be broken in a strong wind if not supported well.  It's a nail biter for us to be sure.

[edu]

I suppose you are learning a lot from this big girl!

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Oh yeah. It's been a long while since my last sauropod too..and each one is unique, a method that worked for one size won't exactly work for the other.

Good news though, Our first support has been removed and the neck didn't budge!