Female Figure - papercrete statue

[blessingdragon]

It has been quite a while since I posted and much longer since I began work on a statue. Below is a female statue figure in its first stages. The picture is overexposed unfortunately. I have to do this process outside and with winter coming I have to keep busy I don't know if others have this problem but it has taken me well over a year to get motivated again. The last figure (of the green man) had to be done on a deadline and after a while it stopped being enjoyable. Ever happen to you. I am somewhat embarrassed to post my work as there are so many beautiful professional pieces on here. But, I love to celebrate the creative spirit and that is definitely in evidence in this forum. <br> Anyway, when I started this female figure it was going to be Mother Mary but I wanted to attempt drapery conforming somewhat to the female form. This is just the beginning so we shall see.

[blessingdragon]

Here is an update on her progress as of today. I am playing with the drapery trying to give it more movement. I am having trouble with the placement of the belly. I think the breasts are too high but it would be difficult to change that now. I could add more to the belly to lift it. I want her to look slightly pregnant. Any suggestions?

[GlennT]

Blessingdragon:

The work has a very nice feel to it, both classical and archaic like early asia minor Greek. I'm not familiar with papercrete and what you can or cannot do with it. Can you only build up material and not subtract or carve it ?

The breasts don't seem too high for a tall figure, but her outer right ribcage could use some more filling out as was done with her left ribcage, and her inner right thigh could stand some filling out between mid-thigh and groin.
In the picture it looks like a concavity interrupts the line of her inner thigh as it approaches the groin.

Part of what makes the breasts appear high is that, in so far as i'm seeing it accurately from the photo, her right breast emerges abruptly at its top and is larger than the left breast, which looks to be more accurately modeled.

I'm not sure what to say about the belly. Perhaps if you could do those other corrections it would become clearer. anyway, it is a very nice work an gives no reason for you to be shy about sharing it with this group. In fact, I'm glad you did. It has a lot going for it.

Best of fortune,

GlennT

[blessingdragon]

Thanks for the input Glenn. I think you are right on the money about the changes that should be made. Sometimes it's hard to step back, especially at this early stage. Papercrete is largely just cement and paper fibre. I can chisel or file portions if I need to. I have not had much luck using those techniques for fine work with this material, but that's not to say someone can't.

[sdg77]

can you tell me more about papercrete- recipes, working time, etc...?

thanks!

[blessingdragon]

Here is my female figure as of 6:48 p.m., 10/22/06. I have filled her body in more, tried to balance out the breasts and make the left thigh fuller. I moved the belly up and made it fuller.

I also worked on the left arm drapery. I am in a bit of a quandary. I originally was going to have this be a very simple style of Mary, but then changed my mind. The rough outline though is of the traditoinal heavy stylized cloak with very straight lines. As you can see when doing the body I started making the cloth much more dynamic. Now that I working on the left arm there is a tension between the windblown dress versus the heavy cloak fabric hanging off the arm. I tried to make it move a bit. If it were a very heavy fabric perhaps it would not blow as easily as the dress (sounds plausible???). However, the upper part is fairly calm and the lower part, well, I don't know, not quite pleased with it. I may cut some of the lower part off and actually have it blow up onto her leg.

As to the figure itself, try to ignore the roughness of some of the edges. I just got through adding sections so there is, of course a lot to be smoothed out. You will notice also, that I chiseled off some of the upper part of the body to make it more realistic in relationship to the rest of the body.

Overall I am pleased with the "presence" she has. Suggestions are always welcome.

[GlennT]

I still like it and the changes have helped. One suggestion...the triangular space of drapery that goes from her left ( not photo left ) calf to her left foot is smooth. The similar piece on her right has wavy lines. I like the smooth better because it provides contrast and a rest for the eye from all of the movement elsewhere. It provides good balance. The wavy part there to me is like the line in the movie Amadeus ...." too many notes" .

I realize that is counter-intuitive given that it is supposed to be drapery, but I think the visual effect should trump realism in that instance.

GlennT

[blessingdragon]

Originally Posted by sdg77

can you tell me more about papercrete- recipes, working time, etc...?

thanks!

Hi SGD77, I didn't want you to think I was ignoring you. Here is a link to my recipie, which is very inexact but it's how I do it : ) Also, I don''t think it mentions workable time. It takes about 24 hours to start to harden. The paper fibres slow the set time I believe. After it hardens though it is never a problem to add more to it. Here is the link: http://members.cox.net/jlopp/art/process.htm

[blessingdragon]

Originally Posted by GlennT

I still like it and the changes have helped. One suggestion...the triangular space of drapery that goes from her left ( not photo left ) calf to her left foot is smooth. The similar piece on her right has wavy lines. I like the smooth better because it provides contrast and a rest for the eye from all of the movement elsewhere. It provides good balance. The wavy part there to me is like the line in the movie Amadeus ...." too many notes" .

I realize that is counter-intuitive given that it is supposed to be drapery, but I think the visual effect should trump realism in that instance.

GlennT

Hi Glenn, Thanks for the input. I tend to agree there is too much movement and ripples. I will go back and simplify some of the areas in order to heighten the rest. (I especially do not like the lower drapery hanging from the arm, way too busy... but the sun was going down so had to stop... oh for a studio.)

[sdg77]

hey thanks for the link! i'll have to try that- I was asking earlier (in this forum) about direct modeling cement- and it seemed too putzy- but this seems real easy- with easliy accessible materials-a giant + !

impressive work! she's coming along quite nicely- reminds me of an ancient greek statue- like nike of samothrace or something-- are you going to do a head?

thanks again for the link!!

[blessingdragon]

Hi sdg77, I am glad I could be of help.

I am pleased with your impression because that is what I was going for (to a point). I studied how moving drapery was portrayed in the ancient statues, the Nike of Samothrace is superb in that regard, so of course was in inspiration.

I have kicked around leaving off the head and hands. However, I currently plan to add a head. I am "pondering" how I want her hair. A more classical look would have the hair up but I think I might have it long and blowing... then if I don't like it I can just chop it off, brutal but effective.
<Big Grin>

I welcome opinions about hair. If I have the hair blowing that might add too much busy-ness which is almost overtaking it now.

Originally Posted by sdg77

hey thanks for the link! i'll have to try that- I was asking earlier (in this forum) about direct modeling cement- and it seemed too putzy- but this seems real easy- with easliy accessible materials-a giant + !

impressive work! she's coming along quite nicely- reminds me of an ancient greek statue- like nike of samothrace or something-- are you going to do a head?

thanks again for the link!!

[sdg77]

BlessingDragon-I'd personally like to see blowing hair- (it seems more goddess-like!) but like you said if it doesn't look right you can always get rid of it -chop away!

Do you have any side/profile photos of her?

[GlennT]

Blessingdragon:

If you want to see some great classical Greek long wavy hair, go to: http://www.coinarchives.com/a and then fill in the search box with:
" metapontion and demeter " ( without the quotation marks )
These are coins from the 4th century BC in the Italian region of Lucania, depicting Demeter, a goddess associated with agriculture. Thus she is wearing a wreath of grain in her hair. Among the most beautiful coins ever produced.

GlennT