The Re-making of Aragorn (Step 8)

Welcome, once again, to my sculpting series "The Re-Making of Aragorn". In this post, I complete the sculpting of the model and have it ready for molding.

Now that I have the hardened shoulder key and hand, I rough out the arms.







I verify the arm positions a lot during the sculpting to make sure that I like where they are and to get the proportions correct.












I hardened the arms and went in to carving the small fabric details.









I sculpted the bed roll and quiver onto the back key...










And finished the sword hand.
Item to note: The sword hand is the only piece that I had to completely sculpt and leave wet. During early trials, I found that the clear casting resin that I used for the weapons will melt (or get really, really sticky) if I bake it in the oven. So I'll have to be careful not to damage the hand until I can get it into the mold rubber.




Viola! The completed "New" Aragorn model (some assembly required). I have mold supplies on the way and look to get these pieces in the mold early next week! Check back later for the mold making steps.

The Re-making of Aragorn (Step 7)

Not far from done now! In this step of my "The Re-Making of Aragorn" series, I am preparing the joints and keys that will allow me to easily assemble the model parts once I have cast them.

With the body hardened, I now need to get an exact impression of the "key" that I pressed into the sholder joints. Use wet Sculpey that has been lightly powdered (prevents sticking) and press firmly into the socket; making sure to get the full area around the key.























I do the same for the registration holes on the model's back (or anywhere else).












I harden the impressions and sand/grind them into the shape that I need (maintaining the impression face) and then drill holes into the keys for the adding of the wet clay to finish sculpting the parts. I must harden the key first to prevent it being warped out of alignment during the sculpting of the part onto it.























It was also necessary to sculpt the hands/wrist joints before I could add the wet clay to start sculpting the arms. I start by roughing out the hand, hardening it, carving out the details, and drilling the holes.