Battle Mantis *DONE* (seat position explained)

[Scotty]

This creature is from the same vein as my previous sculpts. (Crab, Angler, and Boy and the Bee) I've still got a long way to go before I'm done with it, but I think it's coming along alright so far. I'll post up more photos when I get further into the sculpt.

Thanks for looking! :)





http://www.brainbug.ca/albums/UPDATE-HOSTING-ALBUM/MANTIS_ARMATURE_001.jpg

http://www.brainbug.ca/albums/UPDATE-HOSTING-ALBUM/MANTIS_SCULPT.sized.jpg

http://www.brainbug.ca/albums/UPDATE-HOSTING-ALBUM/MANTIS_SCULPT_2.jpg

[Darkstrider]

Hey, that last pic is new! Lookin' good. The pincers, or whatever they're called, look wicked already. I really like the style you've got with all these... everything has this sort of squat, thick, almost claymation quality to it. This one and the crab are sort of cute in a way (sorry, no offense intended), but then so wicked at the same time. It's a good balance.

I'd love to see them animated! ;)

Hey, I think I just figured out part of your 'secret of success'....

I just realized that you go straight from what seems like a crude rough-in stage directly to the texturing! No fair! Most sculptors (I think anyway) would probably spend a lot of time in between working the surface down to glass smoothness, or at least try to chase away all those little lumps and bumps. By leaving them all in, at one stroke you speed things along and impart a very organic quality. It probably also keeps you happy... as opposed to spending all that time smoothing things out, which can kill your enthusiasm for a piece.

[Steph Laberis]

Oy, you and this bug thing!

Yeah, I'm feeling the jealousy about your "straight to texture" technique. But I also admire your confidence with the large segments of clay you just plunk on there - I suppose bugs have the perfect anatomy for that.

I eagerly await for an update!

[Scotty]

Darkstrider- THANKS! You pretty-much hit the nail on the head....to be honest...it's just how I sculpt. I don't really know any other way. I know how I want it to look in the end, and just sorta feel my way through until it fully done...testing out details and ideas as I go. It's true though (never really thought about it) that I enjoy the process all the way through this way....guess that's a good thing. In fact this emoticon pretty-much looks like me when I work. *lol* :drool:

Willow-Whisp- Thanks girl! I appreciate your viewpoint on my works....it's always nice to have a feminine point of view on 'em...even though they are BIG BUGS. *hehehe*
It's true though...I like the control I have with a exoskeleton vs. an endoskeleton. Don't worry though....I'm thinking of doing another human sculpt of somekind soon. I still keep going back and looking at your "raven thief" sculpt every now and then....even at it's unfinished state...it rocks!:clapping1


New photos soon...I promise. (taking my time to do it right)

[juicy_fruit]

im pretty sure their claws go from like the bottom of their head to like little bit off the ground or somethin.. can some1 post a research image? but anyways it looks awesome with miniclaws ive nvr seen it b4 its creative and the way ur crab turned out man.. shit.. that thing was Kickin.. goodluck
-juicy

[Steph Laberis]

New photos soon...I promise. (taking my time to do it right)

Oh, I totally hear that! In a related bit of news... I've started back up on the Raven. My teacher forced me to put away the dental tools (for now) and use a BIG metal wax/plaster carving tool to really block in my planes. I still have a deadline for that dang thing; you're lucky 'cuz you get to take your time :)

[juicy_fruit]

i got 3 photos im going to make them really small then ill pm u scotty and one of them has got a really awesome color its a purple n green sorta and u can jus bring them into ur photoshop and resize it back to ur confortable size

[Scotty]

Juicy- Cool thanks....I already have a about 40 different photos of different Mantids from around the world that I got off the net while researching for this sculpt, but more pics are always helpful. Never know what qualities certain others may have that I may want to include.
The final sculpt will have my own "flare" to it...(I always take traits from various types of a certain species and combine them) so don't expect it to be a typical Mantis. After all...what's the fun in sculpting a normal bug right?:thumbsup:



I've started back up on the Raven.

Willow- This is great news....I can't wait to see where it ends up...but I will. ;)
Yeah, I try to put time constraints on myself normally...just so I don't get complacent. This time though....I'll take a "little" longer. Most people take 3 months...where i get impatient and usually take 3 weeks. *LOL*

[Steph Laberis]

You would LOVE RISD's Nature Lab. We have tons of bugs in glass boxes (a giant mantis included) that you can check out like a library book and draw/sculpt to your heart's content.

*waits eagerly for update*

[Scotty]

Sounds awesome Willow...I would love that.:)


*UPDATE*

Well, I got it saddled up and I've started to really dig into the detailing. I still have a way to go yet, but it's coming along.

Thanks for looking!




http://www.brainbug.ca/albums/UPDATE-HOSTING-ALBUM/MANTIS_SCULPT_SADDLED_UP_WE.sized.jpg

http://www.brainbug.ca/albums/UPDATE-HOSTING-ALBUM/MANTIS_SCULPT_SADDLED_UP_2.sized.jpg

http://www.brainbug.ca/albums/UPDATE-HOSTING-ALBUM/MANTIS_SCULPT_SADDLED_UP_3.sized.jpg

DOIN' MY THANG....
http://www.brainbug.ca/albums/album06/MANTIS_SCULPT_SADDLING_UP_S_001.jpg

[Steph Laberis]

Whoah, I so had to do a double take. You look like a friend of mine, only he lacks the chin fuzz...

And I can't believe you don't consider that detailed already. How in the hell can you work so fast?

And now for the comments of value: your rigging for the saddle is superb. You really immerse yourself in the world that your giant bugs inhabit. Maybe it'd be overkill, but I wanna see a stinger jutting out of that thing's abdomen. It reminds me very much of those awful wasps you see hovering in the grass in the summertime.

Impressed as always! :D

[juicy_fruit]

sheesh.. wat can i say.. sucks for the person riding that thing lol.. must b a little unconfortable but i guess u wont b riding it long if ur in a war.. the fav mantis i prob saw was that purple n green one.. that thing was sweet of the pic i gave u.. u shuld post it like ur top 3

[Scotty]

willow-whisp- Crazy that I look like your friend....I guess I'm not the only person who looks like me after all. *hehehe*
How do I work so fast you ask....simple...I'm insane.:p
Thank you for saying so...I DO try to make things believable....even if they are totally fictitious. I'm pleased that you see it my way.;) More updates soon......probably.


juicy_fruit- I suppose it might seem uncomfortable to some at this point, but remember...I'm not finished yet.;)
Thanks again for the bug photos.

[juicy_fruit]

well wat i was trying to say scotty is.. this looks like a world of the future that has been hit by a asteroid once again or somethin and spreaded new creatures around the world.. men are cavemen once again but have not lost toomuch of their memory and are still smart.. obviously things arent going to b bently style or ferrarie but people tame the beast and have them as battle creatures for when getting maybe say.. giant BETTLES?? lol... u nvr know
pece

[Scotty]

Hahaha....awesome...I'm pleased that my sculpts are making other people's imaginations thrive as well. I'm determined to make this sculpt rock...so we will see where I end up with it. It's pretty close to what I imagined already.:cool:

[magic torch]

As usual,Scotty, your work is food for the imagination!! Can`t wait to see it finished.

MT

[Scotty]

Magic Torch- Thanks...I can't wait to see it finished either. *hahaha* It would seem that (as usual) the part of the sculpt that takes the most time and draws out forever...is the detailing. It might look good to others, but it's satisfiying myself that's the hard part.:grumble:

I'm pretty-much done the Samurai Rider for the Mantis, but I forgot to add the sandles to the bottom of the feet and the bow string. (there's probably more than that..I just haven't noticed yet and my eyes are going all wonky from concentrating on such small stuff) Anyhow....here's an updated pic of the Rider at the point I'm at with him. Once I'm fully happy with him....I'll get back to finishing the Mantis and all will be well.


http://www.brainbug.ca/albums/UPDATE-HOSTING-ALBUM/SAMURAI_RIDER_DONE_2.jpg

http://www.brainbug.ca/albums/UPDATE-HOSTING-ALBUM/SAMURAI_RIDER_DONE_1.jpg

[juicy_fruit]

thats awesome blurr and yes it does mess up ur eyes alot lol
btw i got banned from shiteye or watever that site is hes a asshole..

[fukifino]

Mmmm...very cool stuff Mr. Scotty! I like that shot showing you with the bug...I know you've posted CD stands for scale before, but it really helps to see a real person by it. That's a big bug!

Love that little samurai dude...so tiny and so detailed! You should really go to the workshop...I'd love to just sit and listen to you and Petey chat it up. I'd probably learn a lot. :D

[Scotty]

Juicy_fruit- Thanks for the reply, and sorry to here that man. People can be fickle.

Fukifino- Thanks! I wish I could go, but there's just no way.:( The Samurai turned out how I hoped, and I'm quite pleased.

Here's what his part is....

The Samurai Rider actually was burned alive while a child (hence the face mask) when this dark clan came and burned his village and his parents were killed...so ya...he's pretty miffed. In the story he is consumed by revenge, and has devoted his life to searching for those responsible...to make them pay. (That's the short version of his background anyhow...obviously I'm not gonna give it all away here) ;)

[PaintMonster]

Cool It!!
use to sculpy?
can't wait to complete of your work!!!

[Steph Laberis]

He's lucky to have such a full head of hair, what with being burnt alive and all. ;)

Have you thought of (or been) illustrating this back story?

...can I see your sketches? :p

[Scotty]

PaintMonster- Thank you muchly! I appreciate your feedback, and look forward to showing the completed sculpt. I'm making the final deatils and decisions this week. I use Super Sculpey tinted with black and white Sculpey 3. Works great to get the grey color.:)

Willow-whisp- HAHAHA....good point, but I never said he was completely engulfed like a campfire hotdog or anything...just burned badly. ;) (like half 2nd degree burns and 1/4 3rd degree...just enough to disfigure his face, and a lot of his body) He obviously still functions muscle-wise and such...or he wouldn't make much of a threat to those who wronged him. You're a smart one, and thank you for stating your mind...that and your talent are what'll take you anywhere you want to go in life....keep that chin up. :chug:
Sketch-wise...I actually haven't done any for the story, but I have drawn a bunch of unrelated creatures and such over the years...so I could show you those sometime if you like.

[Jill]

Scotty~
I just have to say I love what you do with your creatures, your inventive saddles are just the coolest! I can just envision a whole society of these beings, you've made my mind swim!
Killer piece, great use of imagination!
~Jill

[brkofdon]

very anxious to see the finished piece. wonderfull creature! nice details too. not really much to say on my part..cant think of anything. :cool:

[Steph Laberis]

*runs in with armfuls of tax forms, critique schedules and various half-finished sculptures*

Sure, you know I'd love to see your sketches! I wanna get inside that brain... of course, I know I'll find a multitude of bugs in there, but that's ok. I have a can of Raid handy.

And thanks again for the encouragement. Either you're psychic, or you read my journal entry about my portfolio review. I hate feeling ambiguous about my artwork, and I hate it even more when employers tell me how strong my work is, but they just don't know what to do with me or my work.

Did you ever get that response from studios or companies?

*runs out*

[Scotty]

Jill- Thank you so much....those words are endlessly encouraging for me, and I will always do my best to please....because of people like you.

brkofdon- Thanks! The fact that you say you're speechless...boosts me LARGE.


Willow- Yeah, I've never gone to school for art/sculpting. (which scares me, but I'm hoping that even though I am self-taught...the world will accept me into the business on the merit of my works)
I DO know what it's like however, to be moving on from something you've grown accustomed to. It's hard, and I can relate to the feelings/fears of not knowing where to go or what to do next. :( All we can do...is our best, and hope that what we do, and how we go about it will be accepted. I've only applied once to a company, and that was JAK Studios in Australia when they were getting crews together for StarWars. (Thought I'd give it a go and see if I'd get a response) They sent me a post-marked official letter from Fox Studio's down there, and even though I didn't get a job...(said they found all they needed in the local area, but thanks for applying)...at least they MAILED me a letter. I figure that was pretty cool.
One thing I know for sure...I will never stop learning. I want to do this for a living somehow. My dream is to eventually create for films....to have a creature that I sculpted in concept....living and breathing on the screen. (I'm not ashamed to admit that when I saw Treebeard onscreen in Two Towers...I cried a tear of joy...beautiful) To work on a closely knit team of collaborators on a film to create.....is something I have actually had dreams about...and have to believe can come true.
Just tell yourself this every time you feel unsure....(as I do)...IMPOSSIBLE IS FOR LOSERS, AND I'M NO LOSER.;)

We all have dreams...it's the exceptional people that make them come true...no matter what.

OH, and I'll "wrangle" up some of my drawings soon and post them here so you can see 'em.

Now i have to fight to finish this Mantis sculpt...it's giving me trouble....it just doesn't seem to want to get done.:mad:

[Scotty]

Well, I'm slightly terrified to show this sculpt, but I hope I managed to bring it to life. It still has some minor finishing touches and cleaning up to be done, but it's done enough to show I think. I enjoyed myself immensely working on it although it has given me the most grief of all my sculpts thus far. (Almost as if the attitude of the rider somehow was fighting me like he would his enemies....jerk) :p

It definitely took on a life of it's own.

Bit o' story- A young boy is disfigured when his village is burned and his family murdered. He suffered major burns to his body, (mostly torso and face) but his spirit remains strong as he commits himself to the finding and destroying those who stole from him...his greatest possession....his family. Along the way...he discovers that life honor and family mean more than just mother and father, but all those who find their way to your heart. Learning to let go of his hatred and lust for revenge is his greatest battle.

Thanks for looking!




http://www.brainbug.ca/albums/album08/MANTIS_2.jpg

http://www.brainbug.ca/albums/album08/MANTIS_3.jpg

http://www.brainbug.ca/albums/album08/MANTIS_4.jpg

http://www.brainbug.ca/albums/album08/MANTIS_5.jpg

http://www.brainbug.ca/albums/album08/MANTIS_6.jpg

[Steph Laberis]

Let me be the first to say.. WAY TO F*CKING GO!!!

What I love most about this piece (besides the whole bloody concept) are the joints in the legs; they look life-like, articulate and so deliciously organic. The posture of the bug, the positioning of the samurai (mind that thorax!)... your texturing is also right on. Not one color variation in the clay, but there's no confusion between the eye and the plating.

Enjoy making your finishing touches, and take yourself out to dinner. Hell, go get yourself some sukiyaki!

:chug:

[ccorriea]

Truly amazing!

I have been following this thread for a while, but never posted anything..until now.

Its awesome you could do that without schooling!

I know that doing the little rider prolly causes much eye strain, however... If you are interested in making similar sized figures taht will become metal figures made by Ironwind Metals, please PM me. I can give you more info.

Keep up the great work! Hope to see more of your work :)

[brkofdon]

he doesn't sit facing foward? i guess that works. still lovin ur mantis!

[Scotty]

Willow- Awesome response! Thank you very much...it means a lot that you accept my imagination so readily. As do all it seems....I am officially boosted.;)

ccorriea- Thank you muchly for the kind words, and I will definitely PM you to get the info...sounds interesting.:)

brkofdon- Perhaps I should explain my motives for the backward sitting. I figured that as a symbiotic relationship...the two would work together in battle as one. The Mantis lowers it's abdomen so the Rider can run up into the seat and then raises the abdomen as a shield. The rider then has the job of "rear gunner" so to speak, while obviously the Mantis covers the front quite adequately. Apparently Mantids have an ear on their abdomen as well...so hearing trouble behind it is not an issue. If the Mantis should happen to fall...the Rider is quick to dismount and defend his "steed" at all costs. (hence the sword) I hope this helps you to see it through my eyes, as I always try to surprise and do what is different.:chug:

[SaIiLdVaEnR]

Too bad that if it gets cut, chances are it will perish as insect blood does not clot.

Aidan

[Darkstrider]

Hey Scotty... great job! (as always)

Congrats on finishing it. Looking at this I suddenly thought about this....

I don't know what company put it out, but I remember a kit of the arachnid warriors from Starship Troopers where it was separated at all the leg joints... so when you assemble it you can create your own pose. Hell, with just a little more work, you could make some joints for those legs, and have the world's coolest action figures! (Then let the animation begin!;) )

[Scotty]

SaIiLdVaEnR- Thanks for the observation, but use your imagination. ;) This thing is HUGE, and its hide is quite thick. In order for it to suffer such a devastating blow it'd have to be very deep. Also, if it DID get cut deep enough to bleed....there are definitely medicines and ways to add a clotting agent to the wound. See....I've thought of everything haven't I? *lol*:)

Darkstrider- Thanks man! I have to admit that I've thought the same thing in different ways. I would LOVE for these to be taken and made into a toyline, but alas....I haven't the skills for that yet. We will see what happens in the future...never know. I'm definitely not doing this for no reason....that's for sure. My story is growing all the time...what a blast! :chug:

[WarriorSmurf 666]

this is excellent :chug: nothing more to add as everyone else has said what i think already :cool:

[acuna_read]

Id just like to say imaginative and impressive to see your work, and im even more impressed/respectful of you having not had formal education. I have had formal education but will have to stop and work to carry on education at a later date and am finding it very hard to find any form of basic work in a creative industry (and I live in a major European city) so I can understand your troubles.
You may or may not be glad to know that your work has inspired me to carry on with my work once my education finishes and also to take up and pursue sculpture at least as a hobby, so thanks for that :chug:

And keep on making the inspiring models!:)

[Scotty]

Thanks Warrior and Acuna.....if my works happen to inspire others...what better form of flattery is there? Thank you.....you made my day. :)

[fukifino]

All I can do is *drooooooooool*. I need a napkin now. :O

[Scotty]

Fukifino- Thanks man....making people drool is my biggest goal. hahaha :)