24/08/11 Blog entry 5
Today, with the help of the Rhino keepers, I gained access to the shed where I will be working.
The shed is a good size and heated, so its a good space....although a bit aromatic from its last inhabitant Rhino!
I have decided on a Rhino standing with its head down, to aid balance of the sculpture, when it is made.
The next step is to draw out the image I want to base the sculpture on and put a grid over it to extend it onto larger paper. This takes a few hours to get the correct shape and form, it is important at this stage to get the lines right as this is essentially the foundations to the overall form of the piece.
Once drawn out it became apparent that the piece was a little over sized, so with a few tweaks I've got the height to 4'.5"-5' in height and 9' in length, now the lines are less elongated and how I want them.
For the size I have used a size chart that I found on the Internet, but after seeing the Rhino's close up, it seems captive bred species are slightly smaller...this benefits my building of the piece, as it will give the piece more stability and strength within the materials.
The Rhino shed doors are open for the public to view, but I dont seem to have the same impact as a Rhino... children expect a Rhino, but instead see a lady with a Rhino drawing... I have shattered some excited children's illusion of a Rhino in the shed...I must get the Rhino made soon to make up for this!!...and some signs!
Now to start bending metal..... to be continued....
Amanda x
25/08/11 Blog entry 6
Now comes the exciting bit!... drawing with steel, this is the part where the character of the animal starts to come alive.
I have an ambition to get the first lines set in place and it to be up on its feet by the end of today.
The shed now has a sign explaining who I am (Thank you Sam Harwood - Marketing) and people are taking more interest in what is going on...rather than looking for the Rhino!
I use a basic technique of bending steel bars by hand, this allows me to mimic the contours and curves of the animal by eye, not machine.
I create the outline form; like in a drawing, from the side.
Once this is complete, I think about how it will look from the front and rear view and the I build the form around this.
I form the metal bars into the lines of my 2D Rhino's design, I offer them up to the picture; to make sure I am creating the right shape. When I have a selection of steel lines, I then use my gasless MIG welder to spot-weld these into place, creating a 3D image (see below).
It was quite a struggle for me to get the piece up from the ground and I will need help with the next stage....bring on my glamorous assistant... he 6'5" and wears army boots.... Craig my partner!
I will return at the weekend to get the piece stable enough to start packing out its form in steel and create some feet plates.
Amanda x
Today, with the help of the Rhino keepers, I gained access to the shed where I will be working.
The shed is a good size and heated, so its a good space....although a bit aromatic from its last inhabitant Rhino!
I have decided on a Rhino standing with its head down, to aid balance of the sculpture, when it is made.
The next step is to draw out the image I want to base the sculpture on and put a grid over it to extend it onto larger paper. This takes a few hours to get the correct shape and form, it is important at this stage to get the lines right as this is essentially the foundations to the overall form of the piece.
Once drawn out it became apparent that the piece was a little over sized, so with a few tweaks I've got the height to 4'.5"-5' in height and 9' in length, now the lines are less elongated and how I want them.
For the size I have used a size chart that I found on the Internet, but after seeing the Rhino's close up, it seems captive bred species are slightly smaller...this benefits my building of the piece, as it will give the piece more stability and strength within the materials.
The Rhino shed doors are open for the public to view, but I dont seem to have the same impact as a Rhino... children expect a Rhino, but instead see a lady with a Rhino drawing... I have shattered some excited children's illusion of a Rhino in the shed...I must get the Rhino made soon to make up for this!!...and some signs!
Now to start bending metal..... to be continued....
Amanda x
25/08/11 Blog entry 6
Now comes the exciting bit!... drawing with steel, this is the part where the character of the animal starts to come alive.
I have an ambition to get the first lines set in place and it to be up on its feet by the end of today.
The shed now has a sign explaining who I am (Thank you Sam Harwood - Marketing) and people are taking more interest in what is going on...rather than looking for the Rhino!
I use a basic technique of bending steel bars by hand, this allows me to mimic the contours and curves of the animal by eye, not machine.
I create the outline form; like in a drawing, from the side.
Once this is complete, I think about how it will look from the front and rear view and the I build the form around this.
I form the metal bars into the lines of my 2D Rhino's design, I offer them up to the picture; to make sure I am creating the right shape. When I have a selection of steel lines, I then use my gasless MIG welder to spot-weld these into place, creating a 3D image (see below).
It was quite a struggle for me to get the piece up from the ground and I will need help with the next stage....bring on my glamorous assistant... he 6'5" and wears army boots.... Craig my partner!
I will return at the weekend to get the piece stable enough to start packing out its form in steel and create some feet plates.
Amanda x
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