Pie clown

[moonmin82]

First up, here are my two slottabase tag press moulds:

One says "PG 2012" and the other, "Mad Clown".

And the first tags (crappy photos, sorry):

They're a bit shiny as I lubed them with vegetable oil. I'm really pleased with how the came out. The type is clear and just about as deep as I wanted.

I spent tonight working on the pie throwing hand:

 

[Stewsayer]

Hey moonmin.

He's looking good and the tabs look a treat. It might be my eyes but the pie throwing arm looks a little long in the forearm, though it could be the pose.

 

[moonmin82]

It might be my eyes but the pie throwing arm looks a little long in the forearm, though it could be the pose.

If anything it might be the extended left hand... Hopefully now I've defined the sleeve a little it looks better?

...and... tonight's progress:

Nearly there now - I'm on track to have him complete and ready to post to Black Dragon Castings by the end of the week! I'm pleased with the way he's going so far but there is certainly stored away in the back of my mind to improve on 'next time'.

 

[10 ball]

Looks great, ideas for next time - really long feet? Balloons? Top hat?

 

[moonmin82]

I have stacks of clown ideas! Just wondering whether to do another clown next or something different...

I plan to resculpt the hair btw. What you see in the above pic' was just intended as a scaffold for what was to come, however I think I may go for a more Krusty the Clown look...

Thoughts, yays and nays welcome, before he 'goes to press' as it were!

 

[QuietiManes]

I think the big Krusty hair works with that mask.

 

[moonmin82]

Thought I'd do something different with the hair today:

I sculpted a first layer which was to form the scaffold. Once cured a little, but still tacky, I added lots of small putty balls for texture. I then wet my fingers and teased the hair into the desired shape.

I also finished off the right hand. You should spot his ears hiding *just* below the hair...

The hair is more symmetrical than the picture lets on - forgive the slight angle!

 

[moonmin82]

Nearly there!

I resculpted his left shoulder, sculpted the pie and the zipper on his mask. Using my new Swan Morton blade I had a try at the 'scraping' technique I'd read about. I smoothed over the joins between some wet on dry blending.

Will probably add his slottabase tag tomorrow and neaten him up a little.

 

[moonmin82]

I've just sent photos and dimensions to my casting contact. Hopefully I'll get a quote back in time to send him off on Saturday morning. This will (eventually) be the launch miniature for my new sculpting venture, Mad Clown Miniatures (click on my signature banner below!).

Last night I added the slottabase tag:

I have had to sacrifice some of the tag in order to allow him to stand up properly (i.e. part of the letter 'N'!). This is something I can work on next time. In fact, when I paint my own cast I'll likely cut the tag away as I always prefer for mini's to be stood slightly further back on a base.

This will make more sense when I take a front facing picture on him on a base. I felt that the casting process would restrict the possibilities for the positioning of th slottabase tag.

Tonight I need to even out the front of the pie dish. Then he's done!

 

[khavor]

Great characterful sculpt moonmin. I really like the way you did his hair with the little blobs of clay / putty. Whole thing has a nice cohesive look about him. Nice work, and good luck with the business side.

 

[moonmin82]

Great characterful sculpt moonmin. I really like the way you did his hair with the little blobs of clay / putty. Whole thing has a nice cohesive look about him. Nice work, and good luck with the business side.

Thanks a lot mate! Fingers crossed...

He's done & dusted and sent off for casting:

 

[cassar]

jeese Moonmin just saw the finger ouch there goes the guitar playing for a while. great work on this range you have really excelled yourself oh subscribed to the FB page too dude good luck.

 

[moonmin82]

jeese Moonmin just saw the finger ouch there goes the guitar playing for a while. great work on this range you have really excelled yourself oh subscribed to the FB page too dude good luck.

Cheers mate! Luckily the finger has made a great recovery. I have recovered full use and (other than the scar...) the only reminder is a strange burning sensation when I try to wash my hands

 

[moonmin82]

Black Dragon Castings have been trusted with mould making and casting duties. Last weekend Alan 'sprued up', adding air vents etc.

He has also prepared the mould and should be casting over the coming weekend. I'm excited to see the outcome! Although I'm not that much of a painter I'm certainly looking forward to painting one up myself. I feel very lucky that I have some very talented painters who are willing to 'do their thing'. I can't wait to see what they come up with!

Time permitting I may start work on my next Clown sculpt this weekend. This fellow will be a true Mad Clown, complete with straight jacket

 

[moonmin82]

What better way to spend a wet British Sunday afternoon than to release my first miniature?

How about launching a painting competition to accompany it!

For the duration of my "Pie Fight!" painting competition, resin Pie Clowns will be available for the special price of just £3! If you send me a photo of your painted Pie Clown you could win my next clown cast for free!

Just the Pie Fight by visiting www.facebook.com/MadClownMiniatures

 

[moonmin82]

Here's my painted attempt so far...

It's a work in progress!

 

[moonmin82]

As showcased elsewhere in the forums, here is my finished paint job:

As I gave him away as a gift to my dad I wanted to try my hand at another, for my own personal collection. I decided to go for a basic conversion. Although I initially attempted to cut away the pie dish, the fact that the hand was rendered more or less useless in the process lead me to something more interesting. I've repositioned his left arm to make it look less awkward.

The base is layered with tiles of plasticard. When finished he will be holding a knife and a (still beating) heart. My first idea was for his left hand to be holding entrails. A heart feels much less grim and a little more "safe for work"! I toyed with the idea of sculpting a butchers apron but like the idea of keeping as much of the original sculpting on show as possible.

Next time I'll shape the blade (using a scalpel) and finish the heart, adding the fingers. I may make a hacksaw to break up the base...

Would have loved to do some "real sculpting" tonight but couldn't summon the focus...

 

[moonmin82]

There are currently just three Pie Clowns available!

The cast is only £3. UK delivery is £1 first class or £2 first class recorded. International delivery is £3.50 for standard shipping or £8.50 for recorded shipping.

For anybody interested in the painting competition, photos can be submitted by PM, Facebook or email (madclownminiatures at hotmail dot co dot uk). There is currently no closing date for submission but this will be communicated and publicised as entries start coming in (would imagine two months from the first submission).

 

[moonmin82]

My Pie Clown conversion has been gathering dust since a mishap with his knife some months ago. Meet his new festive counterpart (a work in progress...):

This has been a very fun conversion job so far! And somewhat more positive than hi former incarnation. In the next sitting I'll add the remaining fur trim (and the bobble to his hat), the fingers grasping the snowball and a touch of snow on the ground. I also intend to add some angular shapes to the sack to hint at the gifts inside.

 

[moonmin82]

A small update:

I'm considering a "This way to the North Pole" type wooden sign post behind him. Possibly with icicles and a robin. That or a giant candy cane...