Cottonmouth. Near Completion.

[SolitaryMan]

I just started a new sculpture, and after various techniques of sculpting the scales and getting them to look right, I think I finally found a way.

I just need to know if they look right to you. I even managed to get the keel onto each one. I will probably size them down a tiny bit, and make various sizes of them.

Also, I plan on doing sharp fangs....nothing like using hyperdermic needles, but something made of metal and very thin. On one I used large fish hooks, and cut them up, but if anyone has any good ideas for sharp durable metal fangs, I am all ears....or eyes.
http://www.applepics.com/4/userfiles/41135a944afc0.jpg

[math]

k im an asshole so i wanna say snake skin doesnt consist of scales but of something like this : http://www.mgrentertainment.com/auctions/jpgs/snakeskinzoom.jpg

[DRead]

snakes do have scales, but they tend to be more hexagon or diamond shaped with rounded edges. the imprint you made looks a little more like a leaf to me.
here's a more 3-dimensional pic
http://www.snakesandfrogs.com/scra/snakes/images/stayaway1.jpg
also, the lower jaw looks a bit too fat and the rest of the head is too cylindrical...but maybe that's just 'cause of the angle of the pic :}
I've been doodling a few serpentine drawin's lately, but haven't had the courage to try a sculpture. keep going...can't wait to see more!

[SolitaryMan]

Thanks for the input guys. Excellent Picture DRead. You're right, the scales on mine are too pointy.

I will keep the imprint stamps I have for other snakes in the future. I'll go ahead and make 3 different sizes of a rounded diamond shape like those in the pic.

Also the body on my cottonmouth looks to be a bit to thin and high. So I am flattening it out a bit and giving it a somewhat triangular shape. I will work on both of the jaws, and actually am going to make and mold the head seperately.

I'll update the pics when I have the new scales made.

Thanks again!

[SolitaryMan]

Here is the udate with the new scale shape. Before I make the other two smaller sizes I want to make sure you think the shape on this one is right.
I developed a better technique on stamping it so that is not as messy as the other ones.

I carved the body down some and am still working on making it a bit wider, and more triangular.

I have worked on both jaws a bit, but now I need to make the upper jaw a bit shorter. It looks to be too long at the front.

http://www.applepics.com/4/userfiles/41158f1d524f0.jpg

[DRead]

looking good, scale shape is spot on I think :^^:
heh...this is fun to critique just 'cause reptiles are so freakin' fascinating.
Didn't really think about it before, but I’d loose the groove down the middle of each scale as well(or at least have it very subtle), makes it look more like a rattlesnake rather than a cottonmouth. The head is shaping up nicely, when you get to the fangs you might wanna think twice about having them sticking out, just ‘cause that’s very rarely seen in nature--they usually keep them tucked in those fleshy folds until the last split second before they strike…although...big sharp fangs would look really cool.
Either way, have fun & hope this helps!

[rollb82]

the snake scales look like they should work over all. I was wondering how you created these textures you make for your dino heads and alligators, butt now i know. it seems you usually just make a mold. I used to actually pul piece after piece of clay and attach it to a piece to get it to work that way. The only thing that i think you might want to do is change the size of the scales you have for a little more variety, but overall your work is great.

What do you use as eyes? And do you cook these sculptures?

Well, later got to go take pics and post 'em.

Have a good one!

[SolitaryMan]

I am working on sizing down the scales a bit, and also have made the keel much smaller.

rollb82, for all my other sculptures I used a small carving tool to cut and carve the shape and then I just smoothed the edges. This is the first time I have made and used a molded stamp. Only because there is very little variation in snake skin texture, the only variation is mainly the scale size from head to tail starts small to big to small again. There is also a bit of variation in how far apart the scales are from eachother. depending on where they are on the body, they may be closely bunched together, or strethed apart with small gaps of skin between them. As for the eyes, I used to sculpt them, but now I get them from a glass eye company based in Germany.

I am still trying to figure a way how to make those adjustments.

DRead, just out of curiosity, do you have any pet snakes or lizards?? Just asking cause you seem to know quite a bit about them.

Anyway, I will post a new updated pic soon witht the changes.

[SolitaryMan]

Here is the new pic! It shows the 2 largest scale sizes.

I am going to make two more smaller scale sizes for a total of four, and may not even use the largest one(the bigger of the two in the picture).
http://www.applepics.com/4/userfiles/411ad876ee8a1.jpg

[DRead]

Hey, saw your stuff on absolute avp...nice work.
oh, and to answer your question--nope, no pets...I wouldn't subject another living organism to my cramped living conditions. I guess what little knowledge I have is left over from my younger days when my father forced me to join the boy scouts. >:| :)
post more scales

[robert]

isnt there a small ridge around the rim of each scale , like another layer ? or are the flush next to each other?

great progression !

[SolitaryMan]

The scales on most snakes tend to be next to eachother, but as the body is stretched or bunched up, the scales either pull apart from eachother a bit, or bunch up and overlap.

When stretched, the scales sometimes expose the stretchy skin between them which can be seen easily when a snake is eating or has eaten a large meal.

Since the body curves on the cottonmouth, I am going to make half-scale stamps or maybe even tip-of-scale stamps to give the overlapping appearance on the inner part of the curved coils.

I am almost finished with all of the scale sizes(one more to go), and will add a new pic when I am.

[robert]

ok cool good , i think the halfs and 1/4 stamps are a great idea , relly bring the realism in to the thing

[SolitaryMan]

Here are the new Pics. I have all the scale sizes made, but I don't think I will use the largest as it will be too large for this snake. I have also worked on the head quite a bit and added more angle to it.

This one shows the 2 smaller scales.
http://www.applepics.com/4/userfiles/4124423b8ce21.jpg

This picture shows the scale size progression.
http://www.applepics.com/4/userfiles/4124427ca556b.jpg

[Jarons20]

The head is looking hot, the fangs and jaw really look nice now, I also like the way you changed the skin it looks more slippery now

[SolitaryMan]

Thanks for the feedback and compliments guys! With a little bit more fine tuning, and completion of scale stamping, it will be ready to mold and cast....which should be soon!

Here is a quick update that shows the structure of the head, and mouth. I still am looking for close-up mouth pictures so I can get it right on the dot. So if any of you have or know where I can get a good picture of the inside of a pit viper's mouth, please let me know. Thanks!!

http://www.applepics.com/4/userfiles/412eeda060eff.jpg

[dagethighknight]

I love it man.... This all so new to me and i think its great!

[SolitaryMan]

Here is a quick update of the head. It seems to be taking forever on this sculpture.....as well as all my others, but I just like to take my time.

I have defined the shape of the head more to match that of a cottonmouth. I think this will pretty much be the final head shape, and structure.

I will add the fangs, and other mouth innerds soon.

http://www.applepics.com/4/userfiles/4152688080ad1.jpg

[SolitaryMan]

A quick update......

http://gamma.applepics.com/7/userfiles/426db1beb1156.jpg

[SolitaryMan]

After screwing around with the head and mouth forever, I think i finally got the right shape. I need to add some minor details on the head and mouth but after I do that, I think I will be able to add the scales and mold it.

If anything looks wrong or out of proportion, please let me know so I can fix it. I was also thinking of adding some needles up in the protective fang skin folds to expose just the tips of the fangs.

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/19482CM1.jpg

[Hive_minD]

REPTILE LOVER IN THA HOUSE! love it... nice pose...but i think the head is tilted too far back... hmmmm... but at the same time i like it as it is... hmmm
more detail wil finish it up.. great scales!

H-D

[SolitaryMan]

thanks Hive. I will perhaps tilt the head forward a bit.

I'll post a new pic when the head is finished completely and I have added some scales.

[theartguy]

looks great so far. was that last post an old photo or did you kill the scales?

anxious for more!

-Seth

[asoir]

I'm loving this progression, all I can give is motivation, keep it up!

[SolitaryMan]

Thanks guys,

theartguy, The last pic is the most recent. I wiped out the scales for now until I am ready to finish and mold- Simply because it is easier to clean the dust build-up off of a flat, smooth surface. The scales in the previous pics will be the ones I use on the final piece.

[osgoon]

looks pretty good .. can't wait to see the final product!

[One_so_Morbid]

Ok some crits and comments from someone who currently owns various venomous snake species and has handled cottonmouths..

The pose you have this snake in is definitely possible, no worries there, they CAN in fact bend their heads up at that angle and often do while they yawn. lol

The inside of the mouth should be reworked and built up, in my opinion, since the very "highlight" of the species is the inside of the mouth (albeit, they're named for the COLOR of the inside of the mouth, but a lot of focus is put on that area due to that fact) and I assume you'll be putting color on this piece. The way it is now seems fairly shallow in detail, if that makes any sense, and possibly too "symmetrical" - here's an awesome reference photo of the inside of this species' mouth to show off all of the various structures, textures and depth. You'll also notice the tips of the fangs are in fact not visible when the mouth is open - cottonmouths' fangs are actually "fairly" short, BUT for artistic expression having just the tips of the fangs out might not be such a crime =D

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y8/necroalc/cottonmouth1.jpg

Also, a minor detail but one that would definitely bring depth to your piece, cottonmouths tend to have a dorsal ridge that gives them more of an "extremely flattened upside down raindrop" shape rather than round or oval, which is demonstrated here:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y8/necroalc/cottonmouth.jpg

A few other minor things - you may want to do an online search for taxidermy eyes and grab a pair specifically made for the species you're working on, especially if you plan to paint the completed piece a proper eye will work really well with the rest of the natural color scheme and overall "realistic" effect of the sculpt. Also, don't forget to include the sensory "pits" along the upper side of the snout which it sppears you've already started to take into account here. =)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y8/necroalc/cottonmoutheye.jpg

Your sculpt seems to be based off of the Eastern rather than Western cottonmouth by the way so these are where I'm basing my comments on, hopefully I'm correct in that assumption.

All in all it's actually coming along pretty nicely and hopefully this post wasn't overly "nitpicky." Good luck!

[SolitaryMan]

Thanks for the crits and comments One_so_Morbid!! I really appreciate the photos you've posted. The first will be a big help and is exactly what I have been needing.

I will definitely add the dorsal ridge and rework the mouth. The eyes I have now are for sizing; They were eyes that I purchased for another sculpture that I ended up scrapping, yet they were a perfect fit for this one.

It helps to have somebody that has actually worked with this snake.

I will get to work right away and post the changes as soon as they are made.

[SolitaryMan]

I just reworked the inside of the mouth. Before it was one piece that would fit in the mouth, but there was a problem with it being too big to slide in the mouth; I would have to pry the lower jaw a bit to fit it in and I would not be able to do that once it is cast in resin. Now there are two seperate pieces that slide in with out moving either jaw.

I still need to clean it up a bit and better the detail. I also need to add some small teeth ridges to both pieces.

I will also add the ridge down the back soon.

Here are the updated pics:

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/19482CMH3.jpg

[waronmars]

That looks so much better now dude, those last pics of the head give me shivers. I can't wait to see the finished product.

[SolitaryMan]

Thanks waronmars, I agree that it looks a lot better.

I have scaled the insides of the mouth down a bit to be more accurate in size.

I have added the teeth ridges where they need to be, and also finished up and detailed the inserts.

I will touch up the detail and clean it up better but I think I am ready to mold and cast the mouth inserts.

If anybody has any last suggestions or comments please post them.

Here are the pics:


http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/19482cmsd.jpg

[SolitaryMan]

Here are a couple of pics with the added dorsal ridge. I think I am ready to scale-stamp it, and to complete the detail on the head.

It should be ready to mold after I stamp it.

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/19482Cotton-Mouth1.jpg

[SolitaryMan]

Here is a quick update.

I have begun to stamp the scales on it. This picture shows two of the three scales sizes I am going to use.

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/19482cmscale.jpg

[limion]

great work dude! love the mouth and the eyes. must be one hell of a job putting all those scales on.

[SolitaryMan]

Thanks Limion.

The head and mouth inserts will soon be molded.

I have wiped the body scales out once again because I need to finish, mold, and cast the head and mouth pieces first; I will need to be able to sculpt the neck after the head is finished to line up the scales so the neck will be seamless when the head is connected.

Here is a close-up of the head scaling in progress.

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/19482headscale.jpg

[SolitaryMan]

I have molded and cast the final lower mouth insert. I accidentally ruined the upper mouth insert twice in the moldmaking process, but I can easily remake it.

Here are a couple pics of the lower insert:

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/19482cm2.JPG

[SolitaryMan]

I have completely molded and cast the head and mouth. I can now work on finishing the body and get ready to mold it.

Here are pics of the finished cast head.

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/19482head2.jpg
http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/19482Head.jpg

[SolitaryMan]

Here is a quick update:

I am at least a third of the way finished with scaling the snake. There are certain areas where stamping is inaccessible (where the coils meet and towards the bottom of the coils). I will sculpt those areas by hand. Also when I attach the head to the cast body, I will use apoxie putty to give a seamless fit.

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/19482CM1a.jpg
http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/19482CM3a.jpg

[squidmonk3j]

it's looking great:D

[veedubb]

badass, i want to see it finished!

[Pixeldragoon]

Almost 2 years in the making, holy cow.

Good dedication! :o

[Sunny]

I saw this sculpture a looong time ago. looks like so much tedious work. It will be awesome when its finished.

[Hive_minD]

Looks great!!!!!'

H-D

[SolitaryMan]

Thanks for the comments!!

I finally managed to finish the body and mold it as well. Here's a pic of it with the head. The final painted piece will be seemless where the head and neck connect.

http://community.conceptart.org/gallery/I/2005/01/01/7103.jpg

[TheDirtSyndicate]

holy crap
where are you located?
i used to live in TX and theres a lot of those bastards in tx.

[SolitaryMan]

I am in UT. I went out east for a while, but was never fortunate enough to see one in the flesh.

[secretsof2113]

That is looking extreme so far. The scales must have taken a hell of a lot of time.

[Moirica]

Heys! Nice sculpt :D I believe you mentioned something about fangs? Well you could sculpt some from epoxy/plumber's putty found at a hardware store. As hard as steel once dried. You have about 5 min working time and then let them dry and sand them down as sharp as you want. :)

[SolitaryMan]

I managed to get one of the castings painted; The only problem is, when I went to touch-up and improve the mouth area, I ended up cutting my finger badly, and spilled paint everywhere, including on the sculpture (seen in last pic).

So, once again, I will have to redo what I thought was finished, but I am sure when I redo it, it will be better. :wink:

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/19482Cott1.jpg
http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/19482Cott2.jpg


http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/19482Cott3.jpg

[Saittam_j]

looking better and better:teeth: , to bad about your finger tho:( .

[Jimb0b]

I found when i was doing some amateur wood carving a while back, the best pieces are the ones you spill blood over ;)

Hope yer finger gets better real soon .., looking forward to seeing the finished work, altho i hate snakes :xpld: they creep me out bigtime.

[Justin.]

2 years in the making... wonderful man, great!

[SolitaryMan]

Thanks for the comments.... My finger managed to stay attached, and is healing well. :)

I will re-paint and finalize the sculpture within the next couple of weeks.

[SolitaryMan]

Here is the new paintjob. I like this paintjob much better. The colors are much more true to the real thing.

When It is completely finished (mouth needs to be apoxied in and painted), I will post a pic in "It's Finally Finished" Forum.

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/19482WtrMcsn1.jpg
http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/19482WtrMcsn2.jpg