I love this guy! Those eyes are very expressive. I assume you painted them.

Is the body just white short nape fur and then you painted the blue area or is it two fabrics. It does look to me like you used a fleece or felt on the lips and under the eyes... is that true or is it just the paint job.

Great job!

Thanks all. The body is two separate fabrics; a white terry cloth and a blue fuzzy fabric of some sort. Felt for the lips, lids, lashes, tongue and fins. The airbrushing was rushed on my part. I tend to use whatever paint is on hand, not a good idea for these kinds of fabrics. The blue is Liquitex acrylic (mixed with the urethane I've been playing with) and the black is old Tamiya hobby paint.  The blue was a bit of a nightmare as I didn't filter it, so it clogged up the airbrush quite a bit while I was working. I should mention that I'm using a simple single action airbrush for these guys. Much finer work is attainable using a s double action airbrush and good airbrush paints. Airbrushing, especially simple shading and such as this, is pretty easy to pick up. It's really just a matter of practice.
And yes, the eyes are painted plastic spoons.
Chris

nice work again! I think I am going to make some popcorn and sit back and watch this thread. This is entertaining not to mention inspiring!

Fantastic work. You've given me some ideas on how to proceed with some projects I'm planning. I can't wait to see what else you come up with.

My education continues. I decided not to attempt to build any of the character puppets for the show I'm developing until I get a better handle on building puppets in general. So I'm planning on building a few undecided "human" characters with some of the old foam and badly dyed fleece I've created lately.
This first one is an adult male puppet and I'm attempting to get more of a personal style worked out with it. I still don't seem to be able to create a symmetrical face yet.


I'm feeling better about defining the basic shapes a little better, but sewing the nose on was a huge pain. Is there an easier method for attaching a fleece nose or other features?
Little time and much to learn...
Chris

Did you try using a curved needle.  That helps in tight placed and curves.

I use the smallest one.  http://www.amazon.com/Dritz-Home-Curved-Upholstery-Needles/dp/B0009V0V5E

Julie

Thanks Julie. I've used curved needles before, but it didn't seem like there was even enough space for one of those between the eyes and the nose. I'll give one a shot on my next puppet!
Chris

Sometimes I will just go with hot glue when I've got a situation where it would be that hard to work the needle.

Puppet looks good by the way.  Looking forward to seeing where this goes.

Julie

I really like this one! The mouth and smile lines are great. Perhaps if you added the nose before you attached the eyes it would be easier for you sewing the nose on.  Symmetry will come with practice but again I think you are being to hard on yourself.