When you do this sort of thing are you already thinking of where to attach strings and how to control him or will that come after the character is complete? 

Hi Droffset, before I start building the marionette I make a plan where I indicate what the puppet must be able to do: head must be very flexible, wings must go up and down,... then I figure out what kind of control I must make to make all these things possible. For the dragon I will make some adjustments on the control I used with the head and shoulder (see earlier in this topic).
Sincerely Johian

Johian,

Are the wooden rings strung onto a rope for the neck and tail? 

Hi Shawn,
For the neck and tail I use the leather drive belt you found on the old sewing machines, you know... the early home trainers, where one had to work with the feet. I remember when I was a little boy ( a long time ago) I was helping my mother - I sat down under the machine pushing with my hands.
Am I becoming nostalgic here?

Sincerely Johian

Very nice! Love the work!

That leather drive belt is an interesting application of "found materials".  You can get bags of scrap leather and thongs from Tandy Leather here in the states.  Go to: http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/

Marty

Hallo fellow puppetmakers,

here some progress of my witch.

Sincerely Johian

Johian,

I've been following your progress quietly, but I just had to speak up at this point and comment on what a great job you are doing. Thanks for sharing this with us.



Ron G.

Wonderful work!
I look forward to seeing the completed dragons.  It's wonderful to see your works in process.  I've only made marionettes once - the cast of Puss in Boots and it is much more difficult (for me at least) than large mouth hand puppets.  While I like doing the sculpting part, getting the controls to make proper movements, and making sound joints that didn't fall apart were very very difficult for me and make me appreciate the long hours that go into perfecting these.
Great job!
Pam

Wow, Johian, you're project is coming along great.  Your sculpting and painting abilities are really impressive.  Are we going to get to see your creations in action when your done?

  Are we going to get to see your creations in action when your done?

Ok Jon, when all is done I will try to put some action on Youtube.

Johian

That would be great.  As kinetic sculpture this would be of more value than stills.  Could you do a close up of the controls in action?

Marty