Custom made base for 1/1 Indy bust,my first attempt at carving/sculpting

[streetjudge79]

Well, I wanted to do the definitive Indy bust for my own collection with the new movie coming out.. I wanted to do something special for Howards' 1/1 Indy bust (version2). I decided to give him a temple wall/floor style base from the opening scenes of Raiders. I ordered a HUGE block of Balsa foam after watching David Fisher use this stuff on his modelmania Dvd's. It ended up that Half the block could be used for 1 bust. I didn't want the base to overshadow the bust by making it too big so I went with just over the width of Indy. After 3 days, I was able to carve out all the sides with a different style on each side. I decided the top would be the Cave floor with the diamond pattern that activates the poison darts. The sides are similar to the wall sculpts. I added a little easter egg in there for you Smallville fans , see if you can find it. I did the texture with balled up aluminum foil and carving tools.
Anyway, next step will be to coat the whole block in clear resin to give it a protective coat, then I'll be painting it up in the next week or so. I also plan to add moss running down the base. Gatorbait is making me a plaque to finish it off. But enough talking , here it is.
BIG NOTE: This is my FIRST attempt at sculpting/carving so go easy on me!

 

[Hecubus114]

its awesome - would be perfect to sit an idol next to it on a similar, smaller stand...

 

[RacerX]

Very good for a first attempt! :thumbsup
I would make the base less thick, though, like half the height. It is a little too big for the bust, in my opinion. You want the bust to be the central focus, not the base.

 

[streetjudge79]

Well, it's a little late for that.. I wanted enough room to run the moss up and put a nice plaque on but still show enough detail on the stone block.

 

[streetjudge79]

Just added the resin coating..

 

[NakedMoleRat]

Very nice. The "easter egg" is fairly easy to spot! :lol

 

[streetjudge79]

Yeah I guess I should have hidden it better hehe.

 

[PHArchivist]

Excellent! I'm gonna have to give that stuff a try!

 

[Darth Niob]

Very nice idea:thumbsup And in my opinion the base is big enough for Indy and the Golden Idol in front of him. You also could place some of his items (whip, bag etc.) left and right from the base to get the perfect Raiders display.

 

[Lord of the props]

NICE! What a great idea Steve.

Can´t wait to see it finished. Alsom I like the photos. No flash and
outdoor shots:thumbsup

 

[streetjudge79]

The only reason Bjorn that I usually don't take the outdoor shots of my finished busts is that crappy yellow wall and grey floor. I don't really have a background out there to present them well enough. The limits of living in a Condominium I guess. .And Bjorn, you were the one that inspired me to try custom bases..I love how you present all your busts so I thought I'd try it too. I might try the whip thing around the bottom. I think the bag would be too much .

 

[steveo]

I think it looks awesome, but I must say, Indy looks a little sick. Did he just watch the prequels?

 

[streetjudge79]

Lol....

 

[wilysteve]

Nice job on the base Steve :thumbsup

 

[streetjudge79]

Update, I finished the base.

 

[Hecubus114]

lookin' good!

 

[speedracer]

pretty good street judge...can't wait to see the whole thing

 

[Propazoid]

When did the RPF become the land of "pretty good"...

I think it looks great, and the fact that this is your first time doing a carving I think it looks amazing. Great job, keep it up Steve.

-Robb

 

[SonofJorEl]

Great idea Streetjudge, and excellent execution!