Lifesize American Werewolf in London wolf head project

[ob1al]

Guys, I could use some help and input into the final display.

I have my frame and backing board, plus "paw/hand" mock-up ready for final sculpting, but I'm finding it hard to visualise the physical layout of the head and paw in the display I have planned.

Here's a superquick 'paint' mock up to show what I am debating:

You can see what I want to achieve - the wolf head and paw smashing through the window, with the night sky and full moon in the background.

I'm fine with making all of the components, but I've been looking at this bugger for FAR too long and my mind has gone a bit numb. What's the best way to position the hand/paw? How much of his lower arm would actually show?

I'd appreciate some input and some fresh eyes.

Thanks,

Al

 

[Too Much Garlic]

I would only put the very tip of the paw on the frame with the claws digging into the frame front, as if it is preparing to use the grip to pull itself through the frame.

Or, you could have his right paw gripping the left corner of the frame, with the left paw slightly up the right wall of the frame, with the head in its current position, as if it is turning it's body slightly sideways, out of sight, so it can squeeze through that tiny window.

 

[ob1al]

Thanks Carsten - for that first suggestion, do you mean something more like this?

 

[ob1al]

And your second idea, something approximating this?

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Seems pretty close to what I imagined, yes, though, for the one paw version I would have the claws dig into the frame... and not have so much of the fingers showing.

And again, for the second picture, the paw in the right corner should not have so much of the fingers showing and the claws digging into the frame, like described for the first picture. The other paw looks good.

But then again... just suggestions. Looking forward to seeing what you decide. Have been constantly amazed with your progress and creativity in this build, so I'm sure your final idea will be better overall for the piece! :thumbsup

 

[ob1al]

Thanks again for your valuable input and ideas mate, I appreciate it.

I think I will opt for the two paw version. When you say RIGHT paw, do you mean right as we look at it?

 

[Arkive Dave]

Yep, Go with the "second idea"
I like the idea of both paw's showing, ....Looking forward to seeing some more pic's
when it's done !, It's very cool ! Well done.....Oh and like what "Too Much Garlic" said
claws digging into the frame is a must !!!

 

[kurtyboy]

Love it! I was just looking at Tom Spina's restoration of the original yesterday and you've really captured it.

 

[HILDEBEAST]

Al,
If you have Adobe photoshop this is what I do if you don't have it maybe this will help some sculpture that does. I take a photo of say a Karloff Frankenstein I'm sculpting and bring it up in photoshop. I use my own eyes as a general reference. I will measure my eyes and say my eyes are 5 inches apart from pupil to pupil. I will then use that 5 inch measurement as a basis for the Frankenstein photos. I will then increase or reduce the image of Frankenstein photo until his eyes are 5 inches apart on screen from pupil to pupil...this sets the proportion of the image to 1/1 scale. Once the photo is life size on the screen then you can use the measuring tool in Adobe photoshop to measure say the nose. If the nose measures 3 inches in the photo then sculpt it 3 inches on your Frankenstein head. If the scar is 4 inches on the photo then sculpt a 4 inch scar on your piece. I've found this system to work well if you have a strait on or side photo of the subject. It really makes getting the right dimentions down and takes out a lot of the guess work. Hope this works for others...Hildebeast

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Al,
If you have Adobe photoshop this is what I do if you don't have it maybe this will help some sculpture that does. I take a photo of say a Karloff Frankenstein I'm sculpting and bring it up in photoshop. I use my own eyes as a general reference. I will measure my eyes and say my eyes are 5 inches apart from pupil to pupil. I will then use that 5 inch measurement as a basis for the Frankenstein photos. I will then increase or reduce the image of Frankenstein photo until his eyes are 5 inches apart on screen from pupil to pupil...this sets the proportion of the image to 1/1 scale. Once the photo is life size on the screen then you can use the measuring tool in Adobe photoshop to measure say the nose. If the nose measures 3 inches in the photo then sculpt it 3 inches on your Frankenstein head. If the scar is 4 inches on the photo then sculpt a 4 inch scar on your piece. I've found this system to work well if you have a strait on or side photo of the subject. It really makes getting the right dimentions down and takes out a lot of the guess work. Hope this works for others...Hildebeast

Good idea if you work where your computer is or you have a spare computer where you work. If that's not the case, a printout would be better... but not always that successful to scale from, in my experience.

I think I will opt for the two paw version. When you say RIGHT paw, do you mean right as we look at it?

No, I mean the beast's right - the one we see towards the left in the picture. I know, confusing.

 

[TomSpinaDesigns]

And your second idea, something approximating this?

Looking really good Al... and fun display idea.

What would add a good bit of life to this would be some head tilt.

I think I'd do something like the above, but just with one hand (since the hands are pretty big). I'd use his left paw (his left, our right) clawing at the side of the frame (as shown) and the head tilted this way - \

I think that would add just a little more "action" to the scene.

Great work again!

best,
Tom

 

[ob1al]

Thanks Tom, that means a lot coming from you.

Great idea on the display, I will run with that.:thumbsup

Al