Plein air work

I started working in plein air to better comprehend light and shadow. I realize that pictures can only provide so much realism. One really does need to paint from life in order to imitate life.  If you paint from a picture all the time you are just a human camera. It is ok to use pictures to reference just dont use them as a crutch.  Our human memories are only so good... using a picture or model helps the artist understand things forgotten from observation. 
I painted this at zilker botanical garden in Austin.  It is of a gallimimus dinosaur type from the curetaceous period.

Day 1 The Door/ Towel monster

#creaturechallenge #30daycc
Day 1 This monster lives in the home. It seeks to ambush it's prey by hiding in the bathroom. It is blind and operates off of its sense of smell. It has hands like a bat so that it can climb, and has a crest on its head like a basilisk lizard which enhances the sense of smell. Its tail has a dual poison reservoir for paralyzing and causing necrosis, thus enabling it to feed easily.

30 Day Creature Challenge (tag a Monster Maker)

I decided to start a 30 day challenge focused on creature design. My hope is to develop a new original creature everyday. I would like for everyone who makes monsters, creatures etc to join in on the fun.
You can use any media. Hash Tag will be: #30daycc

Yoda bust process.

I don't believe in hiding methods of my craft. However that being said I won't spoon feed either. To become a great artist one must continually hone and practice. (Unless you are one of those wretched deskilled types) I have posted here the process which I used to make my bust. I have not had the opportunity to figure out how better artists make their bases for their sculptures. Do they buy them or make them? This piece has been a huge turning point in that I mean I have learned much. I used to freak out over molding and undercuts and locking the mold or destroying the sculpture. I started molding at University of Houston sculpture . I was super disappointed in the lack of knowledge of the instructor. I went there because I wanted to learn to make molds. He taught us to use silicone from home depot. Which as you can imagine didn't work and was really terrible. Now I can make those simple molds in my sleep. This is probably one of the most enjoyable parts of a craft is passing on your knowledge so here it is.

First picture is the finished sculpt.  

Second is the first layer of brush on silicone

Third finished silicone with plaster bandage wall and plastipaste mother mold. 

Fourth picture is incising a slit in the finished mold for removal of the sculpture. This is a one piece mold. So the only way you can get the piece out is if you have a cut. 

Sculpture update 2/2

Here are the rest of the pictures from the previous post.

New sculptures 1/2

I have been working hard at refining my sculpture skills. These sculpts are ready to be molded. I am quite sure molding will present some challenges. The octopus is going to be a lamp when it is finished. The Yoda sculpture will be a bust for a show coming up in may. I started making my own tools. I quit using roma plastalina. I found it to be too soft and fickle. I love monster clay. Even though it is more expensive I cant get over how much fun it is to work with.

You can now follow me on instagram at "therealschweinhund"

sculpture progress updates.

mini monster cast in rondo.  Mold made out of alginate note the air bubbles. I should have made a mold out of plaster or silicone. Only 3" or so. 

Frame corner for a new eyeball painting I am working on. Notice custom tools ( thanks StanWinstonSchoolofCharacterarts)

Monster feet cast in liquid latex. These were for another sculpture Which I think I am going to redo. 

Another shot of the mini monster.