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ArtyAMG β€” True-Form Midna Sculpture WIP

Published: 2010-02-12 08:58:40 +0000 UTC; Views: 15606; Favourites: 134; Downloads: 0
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Description See 4/3/10 update text below...

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1/7-Scale True-Form Midna
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Active Work-in-Progress, WIP Z13

Reference pictures: I am most grateful for the fantastic support from both
~Fumbles-McStupid and
*DarklordIIID .
Both provided me with high-resolution reference pictures from their digital models of TF Midna.

Midna is a character from the Legend of Zelda, Twilight Princess Nintendo Wii game.

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2/11/2010 Update, Foil Armature and Rough Body Form
Well, I've decided to make TF Midna in 1/7-scale. I really would have liked to do 1/8-scale, but after studying the complicated patterns on her cape and body, I opted to go with a slightly larger size as a consideration to make the painting steps easier. To give a sense of how big 1/7-scale is, the reference pictures were printed on A-size paper, which is 11 inches tall.
I use crumbled/balled up heavy-gauge aluminum foil for armature. The copper pins are made from clothes hanger. The third pic dated 2/11/10 shows the basic pose I would like to proceed with - those with vested interest please feel free to provide feedback. At this point, the pose is easiest to change.

2/12/2010 Update, Revise Pose
Left and right arms revised per feedback.

2/21/2010 Update, Refine Pose + More Definition
Revised the leg pose to add a bit more motion per feedback. Layered on more form definition on the torso and legs. Pinned to base so that the figure is now free-standing.

2/22/2010 Update, Fix Joints
Putty at the following joints to temporarily anchor the pose: hip joints, arm joints, and neck joint. Once past this point, no more major changes to the pose. Will take into consideration comments on the pose till end of Feb. Then will move on...

3/10/2010 Update, Rough-Form Body Shapes
Was quite sick last several weeks, thus no sculpting work...
Rough-formed face. Trimmed, shaved and layered-on putty to refine the overall body shape and curves. Her hands & feet are obviously still in 'blob' stage; they will be detailed later. Major work to re-tool all five joints (head, shoulders, hips).

3/28/2010 Update, Skirt + Cape
- The head/hands are still just 'blobs' (haven't started detail definitions), so no further comments on the head and the hands are necessary.
- For some reason, had a lot of trouble with joints (shoulders, neck, hip), which are finally done after many re-do's.
- Enlarged her breasts by +1 size to better match the ref pics.
- Deliberately left her right thigh fuller; can be trimmed down later.
- Started the skirt work by sizing up the area using aluminum foil. The putty was rolled and stretched to match the relative size, then trimmed to shape.
- Back view shown as requested.
- Cape is a huge piece. Started the main part of it to get a general shape definition, and as foundation for extension.

4/3/2010 Update, Rough-Form Cape
- Some projects flow smoothly and I can feel sculpting mojo at my fingertips. Unfortunately this project isn't one of them... Virtually every step is fraught with off-lines, re-do's and slow progress...
- The cape, being huge in size, is turning out to be a huge challenge. It was impossible for me to do it in one-shot, one-piece (as I generally like to do when sculpting fabric pieces). Doing it by adding sections is painfully unnatural and incurring lots of rework. At this point, I'm not even sure that I can cast the cape piece...
- Anyway, the progress to-date:
- Tried to size the overall flattened pattern of the cape using aluminum foil.
- Back view showed extension seamlines.
- Then, added rough-form of hood.
- Then, extended the cape some more. The cape on her left side is still unfinished.
- Then, extended the sleeve covers.
- Lots of trimming and patching work next.

Related content
Comments: 147

ArtyAMG In reply to ??? [2010-02-22 17:46:09 +0000 UTC]

I use 2-part epoxy clay (self-hardening once mixed, not like polymer clay, which requires firing). Have used Aves Apoxie Sculpt. Too expensive, now using Magic Sculpt as primary.

Thanks for your interest in my work.

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kzeor In reply to ArtyAMG [2010-02-22 21:44:55 +0000 UTC]

You are welcome. Your work is wonderful. I would love to try some 3D works and your work is the kind that most interests me but I know very little about it. I might give it a try. Can you paint it with acrylics?

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ArtyAMG In reply to kzeor [2010-02-22 22:25:40 +0000 UTC]

Of course you can paint it. Surface prep is laborous, though, if you want a perfect finish... Some of my past deviations show WIP that may be of interest to those want to try sculpting/painting figures.

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celsoryuji In reply to ??? [2010-02-22 13:04:10 +0000 UTC]

Nice project!

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NekoSoft [2010-02-22 11:51:16 +0000 UTC]

I want a cuute Midna

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sheenaduquette In reply to ??? [2010-02-22 09:07:21 +0000 UTC]

one more suggestion i have would be to angle her head downwards more, a kind of "i'm staring you down" look rather than "i'm so high and mighty looking down on you".

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ArtyAMG In reply to sheenaduquette [2010-02-22 17:48:13 +0000 UTC]

No worry there. Her face will be at a level, not tilting up as suggested by the blob shown. (The core blob is deliberately tiny because, working with epoxy clay, it is easier to add than to cut out.

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LindaJaneThomas In reply to ??? [2010-02-22 09:02:47 +0000 UTC]

Neat! I love seeing this progression.

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Bridgeotto In reply to ??? [2010-02-22 08:50:51 +0000 UTC]

Sweeeeeet! That's looking awesome! I loved the first Midna figure you did. Can't wait to see this one develop!

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Persephone-Galea [2010-02-22 08:24:22 +0000 UTC]

Awww dear, you build a true form of her I canΒ΄t wait too see more steps.

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ArtyAMG In reply to Persephone-Galea [2010-02-22 18:39:05 +0000 UTC]

Happy that you like the progress...

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Persephone-Galea In reply to ArtyAMG [2010-04-15 15:35:42 +0000 UTC]

Oh yeah I really like it and I canΒ΄t wait to see the finished work

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Asher-Bee [2010-02-14 03:38:08 +0000 UTC]

oh i'm looking forward to this one.

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sheenaduquette [2010-02-13 23:50:17 +0000 UTC]

i think perhaps maybe a slightly 3/4 front would improve the pose. like if she was facing slightly towards her right shoulder, but still looking "forward" at the viewer with her eyes. and maybe not so static with the legs- bend her left knee a little, angling her leg back a little?

just my ideas.

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ArtyAMG In reply to sheenaduquette [2010-02-21 22:00:33 +0000 UTC]

I've incorporated your ideas in the 2/21/10 update. Thanks for your input.

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sheenaduquette In reply to ArtyAMG [2010-02-21 22:17:09 +0000 UTC]

thanks for the consideration~

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Poisonsong [2010-02-13 01:37:51 +0000 UTC]

I just learned some thing , Thanks. I am considering my own Sculpture , And was baffled by the properties of Polymer Clay.

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ArtyAMG In reply to Poisonsong [2010-02-13 04:05:50 +0000 UTC]

Fantastic! Let me know how it goes.

There are 4 main mediums when it comes to clay sculpting:
1. Oil never-drying clay (plasticine), which you have to cast the original to make a sculpture.
2. Polymer clay, which you have to bake to harden.
3. Epoxy clay, which you mix 2 parts and form as it gradually self-hardens.
4. Sculpting wax.

I don't like baking so I use epoxy clay. Professionals tend to use plasticine because you can sculpt faster than using 2 or 3, and then let professional casters cast your sculpture. I don't know much about 4 but will someday.

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CCES [2010-02-12 21:23:45 +0000 UTC]

neat! so u are making a tin foil structure as a reference or are you taking the foil and putting the clay over top?...prolly a stupid question but oh well

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ArtyAMG In reply to CCES [2010-02-12 23:33:46 +0000 UTC]

Instead of using wire armature, I use aluminum foil. It is in part to define the structure/form and in part to save epoxy clay (expensive at $32 + $8 S&H for a 4-lb set). I then overlay clay on alumnium foil as you noted.

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CCES In reply to ArtyAMG [2010-02-13 16:50:06 +0000 UTC]

Oh i see good way to save the clay! its unbelivable how much it costs

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Crashtefano In reply to ??? [2010-02-12 21:00:43 +0000 UTC]

fascinating

I'd like to see it done

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Arucelli In reply to ??? [2010-02-12 17:14:35 +0000 UTC]

Hey Arty! Um, on the last scene, I think the arms are rather long. They look a bit weird. Usually arm lengths go all the way to about the middle of their thighs, but yours go to, what? i don't know, the knees! So why don't you first start with a standing figure, its arms at its side, and THEN bend them up again when you are satisfied it looks okay standing straight.

I have gut instinct issues...

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ArtyAMG In reply to Arucelli [2010-02-12 17:33:33 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for the input. Midna is not human. Her arms are indeed longer than what 'normal' human proportions would suggest.

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LuisaRafidi In reply to ArtyAMG [2010-02-14 17:52:15 +0000 UTC]

Oh, I never noticed true form Midna's arms were long!

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Arucelli In reply to ArtyAMG [2010-02-12 19:15:37 +0000 UTC]

really? well, you got me there!

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LuisaRafidi In reply to ??? [2010-02-12 17:04:27 +0000 UTC]

Looking good, and nice that you're doing it on 1/7 scale! I agree with Liquidfire3, her arms could be a little less outstretched. I think that a tear on her right hand would look a bit...silly. Thar twili black thingy I showed you on a pic would look much better.

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ArtyAMG In reply to LuisaRafidi [2010-02-12 17:29:47 +0000 UTC]

I will build another version for her right arm, less out-stretched, bent upward.

I can add a rectangular thing or two to represent the twili black object (cleverly pinned to the hand) but it is not possible for me to sculpt things that suspend in mid-air.

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LuisaRafidi In reply to ArtyAMG [2010-02-12 17:36:39 +0000 UTC]

Alright. And yeah, I know there are some limits to what is...sculptable (lol), so I guess a retangular thingy or two will do it.

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tifa-bells In reply to ??? [2010-02-12 16:10:11 +0000 UTC]

wow wow wow looking good hun

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DarienKMarshelly [2010-02-12 12:00:12 +0000 UTC]

woa!

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SDA-MessengersOracle In reply to ??? [2010-02-12 11:12:11 +0000 UTC]

Sweeeet! Can't wait to see how she turns out!

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NekoSoft In reply to ??? [2010-02-12 10:25:17 +0000 UTC]

I would like to see a cute Midna xD
[link]

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Liquidfire3 In reply to ??? [2010-02-12 09:51:40 +0000 UTC]

Wow, looking really good! That's so awesome that you decided to go with the 1/7 scale. ^^

I still think her arms shouldn't be so outstretched, it makes her look too much like her Imp form, but that's just my opinion.

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ArtyAMG In reply to Liquidfire3 [2010-02-12 16:35:08 +0000 UTC]

I tweaked the left arm so that it is now about 30 degrees out from the vertical line. (Originally it was about 45 degrees out.) Would this be better?

How would you like the right arm to be? Lowered closer to the vertical line by how much? More or less straight like now, or bent upward?

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Liquidfire3 In reply to ArtyAMG [2010-02-12 20:38:35 +0000 UTC]

I think so, I'm really bad at imagining angles, sorry.

I think if you kept her upper right arm more flush with her body, then bent it at the elbow to about 30 degrees (I hope I know what I'm talking about) to have her hand somewhat outstretched to hold the tear, that would look good.

As for her left hand, if you just lower it by 5 degrees or so, and flared her fingers a bit more, I think that would look better.

So sorry for all the critiques..

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ArtyAMG In reply to Liquidfire3 [2010-02-13 04:07:20 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for the input. I'll keep them in mind as I proceed.

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Liquidfire3 In reply to ArtyAMG [2010-02-13 20:02:15 +0000 UTC]

That looks MUCH better! I'm glad I was able to explain it somewhat accurately.

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LuisaRafidi In reply to Liquidfire3 [2010-02-14 17:33:12 +0000 UTC]

[link] What do you think of this pose?

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Liquidfire3 In reply to LuisaRafidi [2010-02-14 17:42:02 +0000 UTC]

That one is actually quite pretty. Only thing I would do is keep the right hand pose that Arty has sculpted already.

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LuisaRafidi In reply to Liquidfire3 [2010-02-14 17:50:28 +0000 UTC]

I liked this pose because it has a nice flow. I sent it to Arty to see what he thinks. By "right hand" you talk about her right hand, or the hand to our right?

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Liquidfire3 In reply to LuisaRafidi [2010-02-14 20:46:26 +0000 UTC]

It really does, it's less rigid. I was talking about her right hand, the one that's angled upward to look like she's holding something.

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LuisaRafidi In reply to Liquidfire3 [2010-02-14 21:18:27 +0000 UTC]

Oh, I see. Maybe we should merge this pose with her right hand pose : >

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Liquidfire3 In reply to LuisaRafidi [2010-02-14 21:25:39 +0000 UTC]

Exactly!

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green-rainbow In reply to ??? [2010-02-12 09:12:20 +0000 UTC]

Looks great so far and the pose is good if you're still gonna put the tear in her hand.
nice job so far!
keep it up

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ArtyAMG In reply to green-rainbow [2010-02-12 17:24:52 +0000 UTC]

It looks like I'm gonna build two versions, one that would mainly appeal to others, and one (with her right arm out stretched) just for me...

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