More sculpture progress!
So at this point (point in the pictures above this) the sculpture is painted a second round-- the first was too pale. I like the color, but the texture is bad. Also I have to make it so the bottom of the face sits completely flush to the floor at some point. But for right now not worrying about anything... just waiting for the paint to dry.
I keep testing the paint every day and it still comes off on my finger... for 3 weeks! I give up the waiting game and start to sew some thread in for the hair line. Now I see the problem.. while the matte white paint had no problem adhering to the resin, the oil refuses to do so (somehow also the layer of matte paint is not working as a barrier surface, which is what confuses me most). But all I know is when I put the needle through the paint is flaking off in a small circle around the hole. It must be dry to flake off like that, it's just coming of in small enough particles it gives the idea of being wet still.
A conundrum.
Here I have wiped down most of the oil paint, just using linseed oil, followed by some soap and water. I don't know how a solid layer of paint would effect my next step- another good thick layer of resin, so just trying to avoid complications.
On the up side this next step fixes a bunch of issues I had otherwise-- my lumpy skin texture, and the work sitting flush on the surface below it.
This is after several layers of resin have been dripped on. I applied them with a paintbrush (disposable, since this destroys the brush right away), but the brush was just to control where the paint drips, the resin was applied thick and high up, then just guided a bit in direction as it dripped down. I did not want to actually use a painting motion to apply the resin- this way the surface has no brush strokes and appears very shiny, like it's always wet. I wanted this sculpture to appear like an emerging land mass- either a mountain or an island, that is coming out of the ground. In this case, since I ended up making the skin look wet, it would seem to be an emerging island. It's just as good for me, as long as it has this general feeling.
Here the hairline is almost done. There are 2-3 inches unfinished.. it's good to see the finished and unfinished right next to eachother to see what a difference it makes. This part is a long, painful (and slightly bloody from needle pricks) process. But the transition is so much better than the hard line of the yarn behind it... it's worth while.
Here the base of the hairstyle is finished. The "hairline" has been sewn about half an inch thick all around, followed by about 1.5-2" of yarn, and in the very middle some white plush sewn together and filled with stuffing. This center is convenient because when everything is together, I can alter the shape by separating the yarn, making a small slit in the plush, and removing some stuffing.
So this is the current state of the sculpture. I think I need to build the pom poms in back out a good amount further, The goal is to use those pom poms as a "ground" and then put trees out of that, topped with more pom poms in the place of leaves. Small pom poms will also hang down and taper off (a bit like a weeping willow).
In the end, if the trees don't have the aesthetic effect I'm going for, I can do without that element. What's important to me is the softness and the flow. It should have an effect like a train on a wedding dress, but wispy and light. The pom poms also need more varieties in the pinks and less heavy on the brown/beige. Right now it looks too much like Neapolitan ice cream!!
I will update more soon. Right now I'm restocking my yarn selection. It takes 10-15 spools of yarn to make as many pom poms as seen above. It's kind of crazy!
