Summer sculpting

Cracking on with my two latest pieces. The red one I did a couple of years ago and was my first experiment with more creative costuming. But I never liked it that much so...she got re-proportioned a bit, given a proper face and a complete costume make over. Looks much better now.

These tweaks came in between sessions with the new pair. I took advantage of some lovely weekend weather and put all my kit in a backpack and cycled down to Hampton Court where I sat under a tree and worked away for several hours (picnic at my side of course). The sunny spots helped each layer of pulp to dry while I worked on the other piece. That's the downside of art in the Summer - balancing the desire to be outside against the need to do some work that has to be done indoors. I think that may have been the last time I'll be able to do fresh air work for this year but I'll make more opportunities next year. Who wants to be stuck inside all day anyway.

The needle scale is almost finished now - the hands need a bit more work as she is going to be a rhythmic gymnast; pulling the rear leg up with her rope. The fella now has some startlingly white legs as I tested out using shredded paper on him. One leg is mixed with PVA glue as usual and the other is with Polyfilla! Neither really had the stickability of egg box pulp and I think will not have the finish to do fine detail but should be ok when I just need to bulk up a piece around the torso and thighs. I'll see how it feels when both legs are completely dry. Anyhow, he's going to have some kind of Le Corsair-style costuming so he'll look quite stylish when he's all done. I see a forthcoming session of getting very sticky from dipping fabric in Paverpol. Urgh, hate the mess that makes but love peeling off the Paverpol after!