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My First bust

Discussion in 'Sculpting' started by tonydawe, Jun 19, 2008.

  1. tonydawe A Fixture

    Country:
    Australia
    Hi guys,

    Here's some progress pics of my first attempt at sculpting a bust.

    I'm not sure what scale it is, but it's supposed to be General Sir John Monash, the famous Australian General of WW1.

    I've sculpted him in DAS modelling clay. I still have a long way to go, but I'd be grateful for any help/constructive criticism.

    Comments and tips welcome,

    Cheers

    Attached Files:

  2. Dan Morton A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Quite an interesting beginning, Tony! Could you post your reference photo for the General?

    All the best,
    Dan
  3. tonydawe A Fixture

    Country:
    Australia
    Monash

    Hi Dan,

    Here's a pic of Monash I downloaded from the internet. I'm working from the same photo which is reproduced in a book.

    Cheers

    Attached Files:

    • ump.jpg
      ump.jpg
      File size:
      58.2 KB
      Views:
      310
  4. busso_boy New Member

    Country:
    Australia
    G'day Tony, looking good so far, might i suggest you "flatten" down his nose as per this pic. but my favourite pic is this one.........i try to keep as many in my wallet as i can :D

    Attached Files:

  5. busso_boy New Member

    Country:
    Australia
    further more for those not in Australia this is what "encarta" have to say about the great man

    Sir John Monash (1865-1931), Australian soldier, engineer, and administrator. Born in Melbourne, Monash graduated from the University of Melbourne in engineering and law. In the late 1880s, having decided to combine a military career with engineering, he became a reserve army officer and set up an engineering business that undertook various construction projects. At the outbreak of World War I (1914-1918) he was appointed to command the 4th Infantry Brigade of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), which took part in the Gallipoli campaign. He was then moved to France, promoted to major-general, and, during 1917 and 1918, commanded the 3rd Division at Messines in the battles leading up to Passchendale. His division was instrumental in countering the German offensive. From June 1918, as lieutenant-general, he was corps commander and further enhanced his reputation through brilliant leadership in the closing battles of the war. For his outstanding military achievements he received honors from Britain, France, Belgium, and the United States. After the war, Monash was general manager of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, and as such played a major role in developing the industry. In later life he advised the government on engineering projects and military matters. He died on October 8, 1931; his state funeral was the largest yet held in Australia. Monash is remembered as Australia’s greatest soldier. His remarkable qualities included a forceful personality, decisiveness, capacity to work harmoniously with all ranks, and meticulous attention to detail in the planning of battles.
  6. vergilius New Member

    Country:
    Belgium
    amazing bust !
    I hope you 'll give him a nice hat
  7. tonydawe A Fixture

    Country:
    Australia
    Thanks Ian and Vergilius,

    Yes, I plan to give him a nice hat,a general officer's field service cap, as in my photo.

    Ian, thanks for the details on Monash's career and the extra pics. I try to keep afew Monash's n my pockets too, but somehow they always end up in your pocket.

    Field Marshal Montgomery of Elamein once described Monash as the "best and most able General of the Great War", which is high praise indeed. As a graduate of Monash University in Melbourne, Monash is a perfect character for me to cut my sculpting teeth on.

    I'm in the proces of flattening the nose now and will post more pics when I'm done.

    Cheers
  8. Mark S Guest

    Nice start, Tony.
    You've been busy.

    The nose definately needs pruning, but front on the jowls and the rest looks good.

    I think you've taken on quite a challenge though to achieve a likeness in your first bust.
    Good luck with it, I know you'll stick with till you get it.

    Ian the pics that you've posted are very good references despite the fact that you've probably committed an offence under the Crimes(Currency) Act 1981.:eek::D
  9. busso_boy New Member

    Country:
    Australia
    i better take it off then, mind you i did get the picture from the internet in the first place............a sight dedicated to sir john
  10. tonydawe A Fixture

    Country:
    Australia
    Hi guys,

    Another night of sculpting and fiddlin' about with my Monash bust.

    More volume added to the jowls, moustache, nose flattened (thanks Ian;)) and lower chin and jaw line filled out.

    I've hollowed out the head to help the clay dry faster.:)

    As you can see from these pics, he's large scale, probably 1/5th scale, although I'm not concerned about scale and measurement, just mucking around at the moment.:D

    Hope you like it.

    Cheers

    Attached Files:

  11. Mark S Guest

    It's looking great, Tony.
    Excellent work for a first sculpt!
    I'm looking forward to the next step.
  12. eissteban Active Member

    Country:
    France
    hey tony
    i'll follow this thread very closely for sure ... :)

    Seb.
  13. tonydawe A Fixture

    Country:
    Australia
    Mark & Seb,

    Thanks guys, I'll try to keep you posted.

    Cheers
  14. Dan Morton A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
  15. greeny_213 Member

    Country:
    South-Korea
    it's wonderful face!
    i love it :)!
  16. tonydawe A Fixture

    Country:
    Australia
    Hi Dan and greeny 213,

    Thanks so much for your encouragement.

    Dan, the pics are great thanks. The image of the bust is particularly helpful.

    Cheers
  17. tonydawe A Fixture

    Country:
    Australia
    Hi guys,

    Here's some more pics showing tonight's work on the ears.

    Still lots of work to do, but I'm pretty happy with my progress so far.

    Can't believe I've waited 30 years to give sculpting a go!!!

    Cheers

    Attached Files:

  18. jasmils Active Member

    Country:
    Australia
    Your stuffed now mate!!!!!

    Very nicly done Tony. You wont be buying any more figures now for a while. And when you do they will be hacked and re-scultped.
    I havent done a lot of sculpting myself, but from the boys, welcome to the world of putty pushing.

    Cheers Jason
  19. tonydawe A Fixture

    Country:
    Australia
    Thanks Jason.

    I spoke to Alan today and he too said that life would change for me now that I've joined the "putty pushers". The best advice he gave me was to take my time and check my work in a mirror.

    I'm looking forward to hacking and rescultping some of those Naked Army figures!!!!

    Cheers
  20. 1969 A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Well done with the bust Tony,bust portraits have to be one of the most challenging parts of sculpting as it can be compared to the original to judge wether it is correct or not,hat off to you mate you are doing a great job.
    One thing though,do you realise sculpting becomes an obsession!

    Steve

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