Feedback Appreciated

[Paul_Brake]

Hi,

I am in the process of creating my first religious piece; however, I can not decide if I should have the scull at the base with or without a jaw bone.

The piece stands 18" high with a 12" figure. The base is Terracotta, the cross is wooden, and the figure (which still needs a lot of work) is made from plastilina.

Thanks,
Paul.

[fritchie]

Paul - Nice beginning! That is a very challenging scale for a figure of this complexity. In fact, I looked at the image before seeing the scale, and I thought it was much larger, because of the level of detail.

My preference would be to add the lower jaw. Maybe I've just seen them that way before; I'm not sure. However, even if you don't add the jaw, teeth probably should be visible in the skull's upper jaw. Upper teeth frequently are found in archeological situations, though not necessarily all.

And, two other things struck me on first seeing the image. The figure's right wrist could be a bit sharper to separate the hand and arm, and also, from this view, I think I would sharpen the cheek bones a tiny bit. The right cheek profile, better visible, strickes me as a bit undefined, though it is not incorrect in any way. I don't think I'm being influenced in this by the fact that the traditional figure has a very lean face. Rather, the flesh would sag on the downturned side, and I don't see that here.

[Merlion]

About displaying a human skull, if the intention is to show a skull dug out from a grave or the ground including an archeological site, we just show a slightly dirty skull without the lower jaw as this lower jaw is likely to be separated or missing. The upper jaw would have some teeth, but often with some front teeth dropped out.

If the intention is to show the dead, we would show the whole skull with the lower jaw as well.

And if the intention is to show a scary image of the dead, the lower jaw may be dropped, thus showing an open mouth, which gives the image of the dead laughing at you.

See below.

[Blake]

The work is looking good Paul
I thought that I might comment as I have done a Crucifixion figure and have faced a similar question. I have been told that the skull and often several bones are found at the base of the cross to represent the bones of Adam, and in my research I found examples of Crucifix both with and without any bones at all and both with and without the lower jaw. The skull and the jaw separate during decomposition as only tendons and muscles hold the jaw to the skull therefore I tend to leave the skull without the jaw as this seems more natural.
Hope that this helps
Keep up the good work
Blake

[HappySculpting]

Hi Paul,

I like it just as it is without the lower jaw. It just gives the indication of the dead without drawing attention too much attention to that area of sculpture. I think the focus should be on Jesus and what's happening to him. If it was a fully round head than it would pull more attention to it. Beind a round head it would compete with the round head of Jesus. I tend to not like 2 in a sculpture, 3 in certain instances is better. 2 full heads in this instance I don't like. That's just me and just my gut on this one.

If you did have the whole skull then having it kind of concealed partially in an indention in the ground with a rock or mound of dirt slightly taking away from the roundness might be nice.

Thanks for sharing....

-Tamara

[Paul_Brake]

Thanks for all of your feedback, it was extreemly helpful. I decided to go without a jaw and added a single bone. I attached a picture of the finished product below.

[Luis Hernandez]

This is ambitious and hard. Good work, this look very beautiful. After you are done it will look even much better. I like the piece very much.

I've now seen the final piece and I am very impressed. It is lovely.