May I ask what you use to add the skin texture to the clay model? I had thought that the sculpting really had texture and depth before you added skin texture but this really does add quite a bit of realism.  He is going to be one dynamite vent!

While I can see similarities between Geri and your guy, the shape of your nose, brow line and jaw line are very different. I think by the time you are done folks wont be comparing them.

Well to clarify I think your character reminds me of Geri, but I absolutely mean that as a compliment. I don't think you were trying to duplicate the character and your character does and will continue to have his own original look as you shape him with your unique vision and talent. I don't know that there really are any truly completely original ideas. EVERYTHING can be seen as some kind of combination or derivation of some other creator's work. But I don't think there' anything wrong with that.

I suppose the only time I could see a problem is in the case of intentional theft of a concept or idea where an artist is basically duplicating another artist's work and trying to grab glory and profit for themselves from it (i.e. unauthorized knock-off Muppets). Copying someone else's work and passing it off as their own. I certainly DO NOT think you are doing anything of the kind. No. I just feel that your very excellent work reminds me of the work of some other very talented artists at Pixar. You certainly don't need to spend any thought or energy on trying to distance your character form Geri. Your sculpt is and will remain the result of your own artistic vision. Keep up the great work I can't wait to see the final result!

Hey all!
THanks again for your kind words and compliments. I really appreciate your encouragement!
Rikka: I like the idea of having something to take the load off of the weight of a puppet.. I actually suffer from RSI (repetitive strain injury.. from puppeteering and sculpting) and often when I am performing; My hand falls asleep or I get really painful 'pins and needles'.. It is tough to concentrate on being funny and doing my act when I am in a huge amount of discomfort/pain.. Anything that would help eleviate that would be great.. Please do post the scan of the design... I would love to look at something like that further - Thanks!!
Shawn: I mainly use some home made sculpting tools.. plus a couple of bought ones for pore texture and what not.. It is definitely time consuming, but it's worth it!
Thanks again for all of the compliments and I will hopefully be able to post updates soon!
Damien

I'll have to wait for my man to help me. The book is like triple awesome, but since it was printed in the late '70s or so the quality of the pics is ... well, let's not get too deep into that matter!
I will ask my husband to help me clarify the image or I will try to make a drawing if we can't get anything out of the photographs themselves- okay with you?

So where does one buy pore texture tools? I've seen all the "normal" sculpting tools at art and craft stores and I think I have just about all of them along with some home made ones like you. Amazing what can be done with a popsicle stick or nail file.

I read some where that someone dried cantaloupe skins as well as lemon or lime skins. They used the veins and pores of the fruit to add texture to sculpts. I also found these useful tools in my search.... I think I may invest in them at some time or another.

http://www.fxwarehouse.info/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=FW&Product_Code=PT1&Category_Code=STools

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hand-Made-Clay-Polymer-Wax-Sculpting-Tools-PT-2-/120602573734

http://drbanksensteinfx.com/sculpting_tools.htm

This link below has some good pictures.

http://www.theeffectslab.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10057

Hey!
Yeah, pretty much any tool that works is what I use.. For the pores - I use a ball stylus.
every sculptor has their favorites.. I LOVE just using popsicle sticks..
They are just tools to get the clay moved around
Damien

The number 1 tool for sculpting with clay is hands. After that, the tools do indeed depend on preference. I have a set of wax carving tools I bought, but the last time I did sculpting the only tool I used was a plastic toothpick/flosser. Also, many sculptors make their own texture stamps.

A neat thing I saw used to add texture is plastic wrap. They guy used to but it on the clay to get smaller wrinkles. If I ever do an old, wise person, I might try that. This might also work on scars for my barbaric heroes...

Hey everybody..
Day 9 is up on my link
http://puppetsandgore.com/puppets.html
Just continuing to refine the wrinkles and skin texture..
I often use the flosser as mentioned above for pores.. And I also use the plastic wrap sometimes as well.
As far as texture stamps go.. I avoid them. They can definitely come in useful and they can speed up the texturing stage of sculpting, but prefer the look of a sculpted texture. I am also using a pretty hard clay, so it can be tough to push the texture in with just stamps.
On a side note; I started on the eyes tonight..
Hopefully I will be able to finish painting them up tomorrow and then have the finished ones in a couple of days.. It all depends on if I can fit it in with my 'real job'.. which is pretty hectic right now.
I will get pics of those up as soon as I can!
Damien