furtech: (snowgriffen)
furtech ([personal profile] furtech) wrote2006-01-30 05:40 pm

Snow Griffen

[Be prepared for a *burp* of posts as I attempt to catch up...]

snowgriff

Prior to Further Confusion, I was immersed in The Spring Cleaning That Never Ends-- a massive re-organization and purging of the workshop, home and storage areas. This started with the amazing effort of [livejournal.com profile] calicougar (who had the hardest job: getting me started) and continues with all sorts of help (thanks, [livejournal.com profile] kvogel.

Still, I wanted to have one new piece to show and I -really- liked the brief appearance of the griffen character in the Narnia movie. So a few days before the con I managed to steal a few hours and throw myself into a build. This sounds more impressive than it is: I had already done a lot of beak-shape research with Lord Kass and some other birds, so that part (the hardest for me) was clear in my mind. I also had immeasurable help from my mentor (who was here and draped and covered the beast) and from Steve Gallacci, my airbrush mentor who did the terrific beak coloration and eyes.

[large: 300K]
...They come in numbers far greater than our own...

[still larger: 500k]
Some other angles of the head

[identity profile] waynekaa.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 01:58 am (UTC)(link)
Knew you'd like the griffins

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 08:10 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah-- he has one and a half lines and really sold me on his character (young and worried!). Plus, griffens are cool!

[identity profile] diadexxus.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 02:26 am (UTC)(link)
THAT is very very impressive. Is it wearable? Do you look out of the mouth or eyes? will it be a whole suit?

-J

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 08:11 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks! Yes on wearable...vision out the mouth...no on whole suit (just felt like doing a head-- the fun part of a costume). Plus griffen wings entail feathers...lots of them. Tired of doing big feathers.

[identity profile] iisaw.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 02:29 am (UTC)(link)
The shape and attachment of the ears is really convincing somehow. Nice job!

BTW, Carol (and everybody else who's seen them) loves the raven arms.

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 08:13 am (UTC)(link)
I tried to copy the Narnia design as closely as possible-- they get the creds on the ears! Great news on the arms!

[identity profile] hoshikage.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 02:54 am (UTC)(link)
Woooow. Gorgeous.

Also, remind me next time we have a chance to meet that I have a certain artbook I should bring along. I think it has some stuff in it that you'd really like... *grin*

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 08:14 am (UTC)(link)
Cool...I'll do that. What are your cons in the near future? I may do Fanime; probably not SakuraCon; possible on Norwescon. Yes on SD ComiCon and AX and Worldcon!

[identity profile] hoshikage.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 05:32 pm (UTC)(link)
So far, it's looking good for me on Norwescon, maybe Fanime, and Yes on AX and Worldcon. Hey, this'll be great! Lots of chances to meet up and talk costume stuff. ^_^ *excited*

[identity profile] skorzy.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
Very nice! I appreciate bold eyes like that.

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 08:15 am (UTC)(link)
That's Steve: he's genius with the paints!

[identity profile] sailortweek.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 03:51 am (UTC)(link)
Wow! I love all the color detail on the eyes and beak. It looks like a project like that takes a looooong time.

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 08:20 am (UTC)(link)
I had a good picture of him simmering in my head since I saw the trailer months ago...Once I got started, the sculpting went very fast (fortunately). The longer I can roll something around in my head, the better the result when I finally start.

Both the eyes and beak involved multiple layers of paint, tool dip and even some metallic tints-- getting them dry before the next coat were the steps that slowed down the build the most.

Oh so cool

[identity profile] jugularjaguar.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 03:58 am (UTC)(link)
I hope you are going to do a body for it also??

Re: Oh so cool

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 08:17 am (UTC)(link)
Nope...too many feathers.

[identity profile] mythos-amante.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 04:01 am (UTC)(link)
Beautiful! What DID you use for the beak? Cast resin? Or latex? It's really a very nice texture and shine!

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 08:18 am (UTC)(link)
Beak is evac foam (aka, L-200-- very similar to craft foam). Carved, glued with a bunch of layers of paint and tool dip.

[identity profile] lyosha.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 04:21 am (UTC)(link)
Ohh, you make me so happy. X)

Woo!

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 08:25 am (UTC)(link)
Hoped you'd like him! Still awaiting word from the she-hyena...

[identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/_patches/ 2006-01-31 04:47 am (UTC)(link)
Oo, awesome. ^^
Speaking of FC, I wish you'd brought the Steele costume you made. I'd of like to have seen that in person.

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 08:27 am (UTC)(link)
Sorry! He was at last year's con (I think it was last year) when they had a bunch of people bring well-known costumes from furry fandom's early years. Steele is still one of my favorite suits: he's probably the only one I'd ever re-make.

[identity profile] lacy.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 04:58 am (UTC)(link)
Gorgeous job on this one, the whole look is very believeable and impressive!

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 08:28 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks-- I was hoping you could get to the con so we could talk shop and I could show him off to you. Next year for sure!

[identity profile] hoshikaji.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 05:57 am (UTC)(link)
There really is no stopping you. Not only do you outdo yourself, you do it exponentially! ::stares woobie-eyed at the head::

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 08:30 am (UTC)(link)
Thank yew! I was inspired...really loved the personality the animators/voice actor got into a bunch of CG pixels.

[identity profile] c-eagle.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 08:29 am (UTC)(link)
I could hardly get enough of that! 8> *boggle yeeeaaaaaah!!*

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 08:30 am (UTC)(link)
You were the third person I was hoping would enjoy him! Coolsville!

[identity profile] theassassinnox.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 09:20 am (UTC)(link)
Oh very cool! Was he running around FC and I missed him?

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 11:42 am (UTC)(link)
No, but he was sitting at the table!

[identity profile] saeto.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 09:52 am (UTC)(link)
The griffen head turned out very nice. I love how expressive you made him and the airbrush work on the head is just amazing. You really were able to evoke a Narnia feel with this one.

And happy new year of the dog.

[identity profile] furtech.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 11:44 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks! And I got to meet Dany and Karisu at ALA! Not long or alone enough to work anything out, but at least we got to meet a few times.

Happy Dog-year to you, too!

[identity profile] wyoon.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 10:11 am (UTC)(link)
I should of seen this coming. :) Very Impressive.

[identity profile] spunkywulf.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 01:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh my goodness, he is BEAUTIFUL! Lancey-poo... you never cease to amaze me! I've been dying to see some new suits by you and this is a wonderful tidbit to whet the appetite. You do such fantastic work. Plus, I really miss you a whole friggin' ton. Very bummed I didn't make FC 'cuz you were at the top of my hit list for people to squeeze :D

Is there a body to go with this fellow? He's so lovely! If I ever need a griffon suit, I'll be sure to come harass you (which I should do soon anyways) :D

[identity profile] okojosan.livejournal.com 2006-01-31 06:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow, really nice work!

[identity profile] millencolinf0x.livejournal.com 2006-02-05 09:27 am (UTC)(link)
simply amazing! That's really incredible.