27 Nov 2011

Box-Bods development


Allow me to recap.

Somehow I got interested in making collectible figurines, I wanted to make something cool.

Having read a few web articles and buying a DIY vinyl figure I thought it would be good to make my own figures with air drying clay.

I bought acrylic paints and taught myself how to use them on the clay sculptures I was making.

After a few experiments making different shapes and painting them it was now time to get serious. I want to make something people want to buy. (Phew I said it, that wasn't so bad).

I started doodling some simple shapes that would be flexible enough to adopt different painting schemes.

At the same time I was thinking of a brand name, and how to package and market the figures.

Then it came to me, perhaps the box can be part of the thing in itself. Like a plinth is to an artists sculpture. A frame or even a white gallery is to a painting.

Context lends the artwork or design it's importance, its significance.

The box was it, the box was the frame, a 3D frame.

Box development for Box-Bods

15 Nov 2011

My Second Figure – Pebble Boy


Lava Kid, now let loose upon the world, is apparently living a nice life on the ocean floor near a thermal vent.

I was ready to set myself a second challenge, can I sculpt multiples of the same shape?

11 Nov 2011

Lava Kid - My First Figure

I have now painted my first figure, not much to look at, but the things I had learnt to make him were important.

I had used air drying clay for the first time. It's a bit greasy and binds together in a funny way, however, it's very hard when dry and not at all crumbly, unlike cheddar cheese. I'll never sculpt with cheddar again.

Lava Kid had taught me well.
I also realised that having a plan for the shape and the painting is a good idea.

I love him for the things he taught me, I call him Lava Kid.

I hope you love him too. Don't be too cruel to him, oh cruel cruel world.

9 Nov 2011

How to Make your Own Figures - The Paints

After making some figures from Jovi air drying clay I went out and bought some paints to paint them with.

I decided to buy acrylic paint as this would adhere to most surfaces and seems to be the paint of choice for a lot of custom figure artists.

Acrylics, Red, Blue and Yellow and Gesso. Oh Black and White too.
I also decided to buy some gesso, this is an undercoat primer for canvas painters, but it's also good for clay and plaster. I recommend it, as it gave a great undercoat for the acrylics to adhere to.

Then it was the hard work of finding inspiration for a 'look' to paint my figures with.

I must admit there was no grand scheme at this point and I was just playing around and seeing what happened.

As I developed my process, however, I now doodle out a concept and work out a colour scheme first. I recommend doing this as it will save time in the long run and you will produce better results.

For my planning I use either; pens and felt tips on paper, or my computer. I then mix my paints and start painting.

Top Tip! Don't be a slave to your plan. Sometimes it's good to go with the flow, as long as you know the direction.

7 Nov 2011

How to Make your Own Figures - The Clay

After my research into vinyl figures, buying a DIY Jinny and painting it, I was considering how to create my own figure.

I was at work one day, teaching the kids to sculpt with clay (being a primary school art teacher) and the idea came to me. Forget the plastic for a minute and use air drying clay to make your figures!

Jovi air drying clay is great for home modelling, not just for the kids!
Awesome, I couldn't wait to get out of the classroom and rush to the shops and buy some clay. I bought this suff (see picture) Jovi air drying clay. Jovi website here.

After some playing around with it and getting used to it's texture and properties, it's a little different from ordinary clay, I made a few figures.

6 Nov 2011

Vinyl Figure Enthusiasm

I can't remember when I first became aware of the designer vinyl figure scene. Somewhere in the distant and dim past, my attentions expanded from plastic action figures.

I must admit to having a soft spot for the Indiana Jones action figures, and I was bought the truck and an Indy figure for my 34th birthday. A hyper link If you need to get an Indy figure hit.

I think it was at this point I came out of the toy closet and let go of my shame in the fact I still love toys.

5 Nov 2011

DIY Jinny

A first step into the vinyl figure world. My first purchase to date is a DIY Jinny. The DIY Jinny has no colour, it's off white for you to paint your own design. The Jinny is made and distributed by Bitbots a UK producer.

Here is my Jinny all painted up.

I call it Pork Snack Jinny. The idea is that it's a miniature, genetically engineered pig with the characteristic of having a peel off scalp.

Peel off the top of the head to find yummy pork spread inside. Spread it on your toast, mmm, lovely.

Bitbots delivered my Jinny quickly and with some surprise extra goodies inside. There were stickers and badges, yey, thanks bitbots. Reasonably priced and excellently packaged, with free post overseas.

Buy from these guys!