A Look At My Phantom's Progress.

[🪦 The Death Curse ●]

Hey, all.

After browsing back through my mass of sculpture pics tonight, I wanted to pull a few out from every photo session since I started this thing back in early 2009 and post them up. It's no big deal, but it really put into perspective how much I've learned about anatomy and technique since then.

June, 2009: Unwrapped the clay, cut it into pieces, baked it, then applied by hand - burning/cutting myself many times in the process.





July, 2009: Basic forms started...It looks horrible and I have NO IDEA what I was thinking or seeing at that time. Either way, it isn't right at all... :laugh:





More below.

[🪦 The Death Curse ●]

August, 2009: Failed attempts at understanding how a neck works...Better facial structure and the eyes and ears begin to take shape.



November, 2009: Studying neck and chest muscles/bones...Crow's feet and brow lines are roughed in:



December, 2009: LOTS of changes...Studying bone structure of actor, newly blended and smoothed lines and lots of excess clay shaved away. The eyes are completely resculpted over ping pong ball halves.



February 11th, 2010: Lots of changes again...Hair thickness added, and prosthetics started. Brand new eyes are sculpted (again) thanks to some new anatomically-correct eye forms from a friend. Studying ear structure and I'm always shaving away more clay.



February 13th, 2010: Prosthetics are extended and hair is blended. The ears are now anatomically correct and nearly finished...Still having problems with the neck muscles.



March 11th, 2010: The prosthetic lips are now completed and skin texture is tested around the (real) mouth.



March 30th, 2010: First attempt at hair FAILS miserably...Two additional attempts at realism also fail, so I took some time off to study the structure of sculpted hair.




More below.

[🪦 The Death Curse ●]

May 28th, 2010: Began adding final under-structure for directional hair clumps.



August 21st, 2010: The under-structure and first pass at hair is complete. The ears are now finalized.



October 15th, 2010: The neck is finally revisited and completed, after becoming obsessed with staring at people's necks, including my own, and anatomy books for about 6 months solid. (:blink Chest muscles take shape and changes to the collar bones begin. The eyebrow is added, and the eyelids refined once again.



This weekend/today: The hair is redone and blended better, human lips have been resculpted, baggy jowls have been added, and all the skin above the bottom edge of his jawbone has been detailed. The neck and chest are done and the CFX armature has been trimmed to accommodate a silicone mold. The whole thing is now 99% complete, and only neck wrinkles are needed before the piece is - FINALLY - done.






Here is a shot of the original actor in stage makeup for reference:



I'm very happy with the head so far, and I would not have been able to do it without the help and support of many friends and artists from NIGHTOWL and HMA. Anyone who actually had the patience to read this thread all the way to this point, thanks. I really hope this thread doesn't look self-indulgent or pompous...The point is that if *I* can do something like this with enough time and research, then ANYONE can do it, for sure! So to all you new sculptors out there, take your time on every piece and learn deeply about human anatomy. It will make *all* the difference in your finished work, whether it's a completely original character concept, latex mask replica, or hyper-realistic tribute to a real living person.

Thanks again and cheers,

Ryan

[🪦 bornoffire ●]

Looking good Ryan. Love the progress pics.

[🪦 stainboy ●]

Unbelievable.

[🪦 travsall ●]

Man Ryan is it ever nice to look ocer these shots and litterally watch your talent grow! To see how you master each section at a time, and then not be afraid to tear down and rebuild over and over is a mark of a true craftsman, and a true artist. I have So much respect for you, and your work, the way you do things, and go about them, take the time and work the piece over until you have what you're looking for. Thanks for posting this man, it is a lot of fun to look over, and I can not wait to see this guy when you finalise, cast and paint him!

[🪦 VF 31 ●]

looks fantastic

[🪦 Homicidal#9 ●]

Travis summed it up better than I ever could. Being someone who has seen this slowly but surely taking shape over this extended period of time, it just amazes me every time I look at it. You are an artist in the truest sense of the word...

take care,
Tommy

[🪦 nsmpls ●]

Crazy good
Top notch work
Got some real talent there

[🪦 GraveOctober ●]

Couldn't agree with Travis more, terrific effort Ryan. You know I have a lot of respect for you as an artist. I don't know many people who would put an ounce of the effort you put into this piece, and all of your work.

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