Lifesize American Werewolf in London wolf head project

[ob1al]

I'm about 8 hours in to a new project and could use some advice.

I'm making a lifesize AWIL wolf head.

I've used tons of screencaps and Wampa's restoration pics as my basic reference so far.

As far I have been able to figure out the dimensions as roughly:

Head Height: 20"
Jaw length: 8"...?
Lower jaw length to neckline: 4"
nose: 3.5" across, 2.5" high, 2.5" deep
Upper snout to curve in forehead: 7"..?
Bottom jawline to eyes: 8-9"..?
Canine tooth: 3"

I might be way off on some of these, I've tried my best to scale screencaps and pics but it's hard to factor these things in 2D sometimes.

If ANYONE can provide some assistance or correct some of my estimates, I would really appreciate it.

I'm onto my second attempt of the wolf's skull.

I've just finished it, based on the measurements above, but before I proceed with the actual facial sculpt, I'd love some pointers as to whether I am on the right track here. I don't want to crack on and spend time and materials on something that is proportionally, vastly incorrect.

Any help appreciated!

Thanks

Al

 

[SonOfPumpkinhead]

Re: Lifesize American Werewolf in London head project...help!

I have some great pics but if you end up waiting until I get out of school and go home to Cali, I could drop by Bob's and take some measurements... It'll be a few months though...

 

[ob1al]

Re: Lifesize American Werewolf in London head project...help!

Thanks man, I have a little more info now so I will crack on with the project, but for future reference some detailed measurements from Bob's would be superb.

For the record, the sizes I posted above are incorrect.

But I have a better idea now of what I need to work towards.

Al

 

[ob1al]

I finished the "skull" and have started work on the sculpt, directly onto the skull.

So far, I've only concentrated my efforts on the upper snout and upper eye area, but it's starting to take shape, I think.

Here's a little "teaser" pic of where I'm at, I'll post some more further down the line as I progress:

As I sculpt, I'm planning ahead to the next stages. Can anyone tell me a good source for yak hair, goat hair or non-plasticy looking synthetic hair in the UK? The theatrical places I've looked at all charge ridiculous prices. There must be a good, economical source for hair out there, right? :confused

 

[reevz666]

here's a great place for hair....

http://www.nftech.com/

good ref for the Wolf

http://www.tomspinadesigns.com/American_Werewolf_Restoration_Project_Gallery.html

 

[ob1al]

Thanks for the hair link, I'll certainly check that out.

Yeah, Tom's pics are brilliant (not to mention his restoration work!), they are one of my primary references along with the DVD.:thumbsup

 

[ob1al]

I thought all you AWIL fans might appreciate seeing where I am up to, so far.

There's still LOTS of work to do, I'm still roughing out forms and shapes and slowly adding bits of detail. It's most important to note, no gums or teeth yet, which is obviously a huge part of "the look" of the wolf.

Anyway, here's how my version of "David" looks at the moment:

Lot's of work ahead, no doubt, but I will persevere and hopefully be happy with the end result!

Al

 

[Bilbo Baggins]

Cool Project! And one of My Fave Movies!!

Glad to see You tackle this one, Al :cheers

~BB

 

[allosaur176]

There is a member here who restored the original piece and had great pictures, maybe he will chime in

 

[Jamanticus]

There is a member here who restored the original piece and had great pictures, maybe he will chime in

He's already been named, and so we're expecting him to appear at any moment :lol

His pics (and screencaps) were the basis for Al's new project if I read right.

 

[Garthok]

That's looking good, you can really see it taking shape in the last pic. What is the skull part made of?

 

[ob1al]

That's looking good, you can really see it taking shape in the last pic. What is the skull part made of?

I made a prototype skull from card, then did it again in foam, covered in bodyfiller, to sculpt on.

 

[piehead]

for yak hair the 2 places that spring to mind are bonbury postiche and wigs up north in manchester. by the way i have some great pics of the chango underskull and chango back mechs i took in january from one of the originals if you need em.

 

[ob1al]

Thanks for those links, I've had a look at the sites and the prices seem ok. No pics of the hair products though - I will give them a ring to discuss what I need and what they have.

Another small update, the upper set of teeth are now in! My wolf is no longer a gummywolf:

Still lots to do to bulk up the shape of the rear of the face / head area, ears and so on, not to mention the tongue and lower jaw. Then fine tuning all of the rougher areas.

But I'm pleased that it's starting to look like a werewolf now - or more specifically, THE werewolf I want it to look like.

Al

 

[piehead]

the direction of the canines looks a little off. they curve slightly backwards on the puppet i saw. could be these are just for placement tho so i'll shut up for now. coming on nicely.

 

[ob1al]

You are quite right - the pic was taken last night before final teeth adjustments, plus as I was on a roll I stayed up (far too late) till the early hours getting the bottom set in as well.

There is still so much more to do on this - corrections, adding and taking away...everytime I see something from another angle in a pic or screencap, I go back to that area and try to correct my earlier mistakes. It's frustrating yet rewarding.

The devil truly is in the detail.

I've just bought a new batch of materials, so will continue work on this tonight.

More progress pics later...

Al

 

[KevVader]

Well done, Al!:thumbsup

 

[ob1al]

Thanks Kev mate!

Here's those updated pics...

I have to make his tongue too.

The lower jaw still needs trimmed back quite a lot, the eyes need moved, placed properly and sculpted in as well. Oh, and the nose needs reshaped and reduced in height.

So yeah, LOTS and LOTS still to work on, but that's for another day.

 

[ob1al]

Today's update..

I repositioned the eyes and replaced the spheres that were in there as placeholders with yellow ones..

Stripped off the original nose and resculpted that.

Resculpted the upper gum.

Cut away the lower jaw/ chin area.

I think it looks much better now.

I still need to rework the lower jaw / teeth, add the tongue and a few other bits and bobs.

 

[ob1al]

I think my head sculpt is nearly done. Just need to add the tongue, ears and some small fine tuning and refining, then we are ready for paint and hair!

I've ordered the hair and it should be here tomorrow, I'm excited to see how it will look!

Also, I'm not sure whether to make part of the shoulders for the display, or not? I think the head might look a bit odd just displayed on it's own, whereas a section of the shoulders would make it more substantial. Not sure?

In truth, I'd love to carry on and make the rest of the wolf, but I honestly have nowhere to display it. It would be HUGE.