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Heidi Maiers · Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2006 4:24 pm Post subject:

Not sure Tamara,
I didn't ask her specifically, but she seemed to really like it when she saw it and I told her not to be afraid to point out anything she didn't like and I'd change it - and she didn't ask to have them removed.
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Heidi Maiers · Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 10:47 pm Post subject:

Still working away at this thing. The necklace is taking a long time. Making the little jewels in water clay is a challenge since keeping the moisture level just right is not easy. Too dry and the edges crack and crumble - one squirt with water and it is too wet. I found the best working method to be working quickly as soon as you take off the bag and when it starts getting too dry, give it a squirt and wrap it back up for 15 minutes, then continue - repeating this process while working on the tiny pieces of clay. Using a pastry bag with a very fine tip, I used a drop of slip to attach each jewel to the body. That makes the perfect glue. Without the slip, the jewels would just fall off. Also, the chain and teardrop pearls were made with slip in a pastry bag.
Still needs the rest of the jewels added to the two top chains and then general cleanup. She is almost finished modeling.

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Tamara · Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:16 am Post subject:

What a stunning way to set off such a beautiful girl bust. That necklace looks really feminine and all your hard work is really adding that special touch to it. Love the whole pic and everything that I can see looks great!

I know exactly what you mean about the water clay! One two many squirts on my lady and the fingers or arm would fall off. Shocked

That's the nightmare that I spoke about with regard to her. Also, for some reason she was growing a white mold on the tips of the hair and the tips of the fingernails. Several times I completely redid the finger nails which was so frustrating.

Do you have any mold growing on her with all that heat you are having over there?

~Tamara
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Christine Rutter · Joined: 09 May 2006 Posts: 8

Heidi, I've been watching your sculpture progress and I must tell you that I just love it... so realistic, and beautiful. Your work is amazing.

I have just finished my first "head"... and it's ok... but nothing compared to your work. But I want you to know that by watching how you do the eyes and the delicate mouth... it really did help me. I'll take a picture of mine tonight and post it for you and the others to take a look at, but I know I need a lot of practice.

Thanks for sharing your talent.

Chris

Heidi Maiers · Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 6:42 pm Post subject:

Thanks Tamara and Christine,
Looking forward to seeing your "very first" Christine. They are always fun to look back on as your skills improve - and we all have room to improve!

Tamara, I don't know about white mold, but the tips of things start turning white when they get too dry - not because they're moldy. I so get mold growing if I leave something wrapped in wet towels for too long. Around here though, it is in shades of yellow and green. Quite pretty actually - but STANKY! Whew! Fortunately, the mold doesn't hurt a thing though.
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Heidi Maiers · Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 4:25 pm Post subject:

Well, here are the final clay modeling photos of this (save a little clean up and a few dents that need blending, etc). Sorry about the contrasty photos.
Now I'll let it dry by putting it in a sealed garbage bag and placing it in the hot Phoenix sun. Should take a week or two. In the meanwhile, I'll make the ceramic base.

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Mark Newman · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 76 Location: Oakland, CA.

Heidi,

That really turned great!! Her hair looks so soft and I like the very slight smile she's got going there. It's nice to finally see the bust from all angles. The nacklace is very delicate and provide some nice texture
in contrast to her smooth skin. I'm sure the client will be very pleased.
You should be very proud.

Mark

Heidi Maiers · Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 6:45 pm Post subject:

Thanks Mark! I just sent her about 20 pictures of it, so unless she has any changes, I'll do the final clean up tomorrow. I hope she likes it.
Here are a couple of extreme closeups too if interested in seeing them.

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Roger Andrews · Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Posts: 109 Location: UK, Wales

Hello Heidi,

Congratulations on a superbly executed portrait bust. I'm sure your client will be over the moon when she sees the photographs. It's always nerve racking waiting for the final verdict, I never get used to it. I keep thinking they'll see all the little things I'm not happy about but they never do. There's no chance of that with this bust it looks to be as near perect as you can get.

You must be thrilled with it.

Well done
Roger

Tamara · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 9:32 am Post subject:

Hi Heidi,

Thanks for the those closeups. Excellent detailing.

The way you did her hair makes it appear blonde even though there is no color there. And her eyes look light blue. The overall feeling that I get is one of smoothness. Everything is silky and smooth and luscious, her lips, her skin, her hair. You captured her so nicely and she is immortalized in youth.

I'll be interested to see what patina you use. Being so new at patinas, I have a difficult time knowing what to do in this arena and will be curious what you do.

~Tamara
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Heidi Maiers · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 8:34 pm Post subject:

Thanks you two! I know what you mean Roger - I'm always nervous about sending final photos because I always think they are going to want 1000 changes. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don't. No reply yet, which makes me squeemish - but she is out of town a lot.
I spent the day yesterday sitting in the sun at my little potters wheel trying to turn a base for this - harder than I thought (and unbelievably messy), but it will be a good skill to try to master. Like you say Tamara, if I can't get it right, I'll hire my brother the potter!
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Heidi Maiers · Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 7:43 pm Post subject:

Well, it took me all day, but I did it. Since my clay kept collapsing when I tried to make walls, I got a brainstorm to just make it solid, let the clay dry out a bit (dries pretty fast in the 113 degree air), and then cut out the center. Worked much better.

Here's a mockup of what I have in mind for the base. Ceramic pedestal with a wood round on top.

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Heidi Maiers · Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 1:42 pm Post subject:

Well, after all that, we decided the ring look and two piece base was just too busy looking. We are going with an all wood base with simple lines - probably two pieces stacked on top of eachother to give it a little extra height.
It was fun turning the base anyway. I've always wanted to learn how to throw pots - which is why I have the wheel. I can find some other use for the pedestal I made yesterday.
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Tamara · Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 7:56 am Post subject:

The turned base could have looked somewhat busy but some people like the busy, (Victorian era), look. The simple base will really make her stand out the most and not distract your eye by looking at the base.

How's the patina going on her? Any more pics?

~Tamara
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Heidi Maiers · Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2006 11:50 am Post subject:

Haven't fired her yet Tamara. Still drying out on the back patio. I'm drying her out pretty slowly to make sure there are no hairline cracks. To dry her, I sealed her in a garbage bag and set her in the sun on top of a dolly with the sides of the bag hanging down. Poked small holes in the bottom corners of the parts hanging down. As the piece heats up and releases water, it condenses on the bag, runs down the sides and drips out of the bottom holes slowly. This keeps an even moisture level inside the bag and prevents the piece from cracking.
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