Ninja turtle bust wip

I started working on my third copy of the ninja turtles. I want to do four total each with a different look and expression, for this one i am going to try for a larger piece and will have him a little more rough than the previous two.
So far i have the block in finished and started the expression, not happy with it yet though i think i am going to go for something more suttle like a disgust look on his face or defiant. Let me know what you think.
Thanks for looking,
Brian
www.alter-ego-dezines.com

Do you have in mind which characters each turtle will be while you make them? I think that could certainly dictate their expressions, with Leo being the resolute leader, Donatello a bit more pensive as the thinker, Michealangelo more playful, and Raphael certainly the defiant one!

Looking great so far, would love to see it finished.

Very nice start, really digg'n the look of this one. Look forward to the progress.

As already stated you have a great start. Are you going for any existing style or will these be your own interpretation ?

this is pretty cool..I've always wanted a ninja turtle backpack or shell...tmnt props are far and few between. cool stuff.

Thanks for the comments, This one is going to be more toward raph with a stubborn over the shoulder look.

The style i am going for is my own interpertation, somewhere between the cartoons and comics and live action movies. I have done that with the last two, but i want to go a little farther with this guy with more realism with skin textures and maybe a couple scars to show the warrior within.

My only critque would be that the top of the head seems a little too conical.
Other than that though, it looks awesome. I love the semi-realist style you have going.

I'm liking the look of this so far. But to me, this looks more like the way leonardo would stand. If I were to do raphael, I would do him the way Dave Rapoza did with his head lowered like he's getting ready to **** some **** up.

Thanks for the comments i worked on some of the issues with the piece, those Dave Raposa pics are awesome i have been using those as part of my reference, found them when i did a search for hardcore ninja turtles as i was going to go for something more rough.

Anyway here is a quick update, worked on the shell and forms, turned the head down slightly and worked on his expression. I still think i have to work on his mouth but it is shaping up.

Looking great so far!

*Are you planning on keeping the forehead that high? Looks kind of off to me.

quick update: Lowered the top of the head (thanks scareb) and started working on details for the shell and shoulders.

This looks better and better, can't wait to see more pics!

I 100% agree looking very nice. Are you planing to mold it or just a one off?
Scareb, looks like you in the same city as me.

Haha nice, Gotta love deadmonton eh?

Wow! Great progress there!

Wow, the improvement is incredibly noticeable. This is shaping up nicely.

Very cool detailing on the skin, shell, and breastplates. It's bringing out that realism you mentioned. Are you using references of real turtles for this and did you decide against having the side of the mouth open?

Love the detail you have achieved so far, and the changes you have made are making this piece really "pop".

Here is the finished sculpture. I will take a final look before i mold him this weekend, but this is the finished piece. I used references of real turtles to give him scales, but didn't want them to be too distracting. Made the neck area under the chin a little thinner and did the wrinkles over the neck and shoulder area making sure to follow the form and the creases. Let me know what you think and any last minute critiques. Thanks for looking.

Looks great. Is there any detailing on the snout? I can't tell because the flash washes out the detail.

I'm also digging the veins on the back of the neck.

My only other recommendation is maybe have some scarring on the face unless of course you're going for a clean look.

Wow, I think I dig this turtle more than the movie one. Very lifelike yet badass.

Hey man, any new updates?

Added a few scars to the face and brow area and also to the shoulder. Here is a pic of the face. Made the mold over the weekend and will be casting the 1st one this week. The snout has some detail, but it is much more suttle just like a real turtle is, or a beak.

I would say you nailed this out of the park man. Very impressed.

As am I. I can't wait to see this painted up.