Making a Skele-Gro bottle

Lockback

New Member
Hi everyone!


Haven’t posted anything since my introduction in November -13. I meant to start a thread back then on the “Headpiece to the Staff of Ra” I was working on at the time (my first prop replica), but never got around to it…
I recently started working on a Skele-Gro bottle (second prop replica), so why not take the opportunity to stop lurking and step out of the shadows?


Some time ago (a year or two), I went through a couple of Skele-Gro threads here on the RPF, and found some very helpful photos to work from, as well as a label set by thevictim, so thanks to all who were involved back then!


I started with an empty bottle of vaseline spray, which seemed pretty good with regards to size and shape. I removed the nozzle and glued a piece of PVC conduit on for a neck. Some body filler to blend it in, and then a coat of filler/primer to get a nice surface to work with.
Skele-Gro WIP01.jpg
I drew a reference line around the bottle and used Apoxie Clay to make a rim around the bottle.
Skele-Gro WIP02.jpg
Using the photos for reference, I then drew the ribs and outlines for the sternum and the spine in pencil. The next step, of course, was to start sculpting. The sternum was first, followed by the spine and then the ribs (all in Apoxie Clay). After the ribs had hardened, I turned to the scapulae and some cartilage between the bottom ribs.
Skele-Gro WIP04.jpgSkele-Gro WIP03.jpgSkele-Gro WIP05.jpgSkele-Gro WIP06.jpg
I’ve bent some wire to use as armatures for the arms, but that’s as far as I’ve come. Dreading those arms, to be honest… :) (Any thoughts or tips on this one?)


Considering the fact that this is the only sculpting I’ve done so far, apart from that headpiece (for which I used Super Sculpey, by the way), I’m pretty happy with the results so far. I realize, of course, that this bottle is unlikely to reach the level of perfection I know many of you strive for (and achieve!), and I don’t think I want to be aiming too high at this point, but this is a good place to learn things, so I’m hoping to pick up a few good tips and ideas along the way here. Also, maybe posting about it publicly will nudge me towards actually completing the project… ;)


Any input would be welcome and appreciated!


Best regards

[Edit: Fixed spelling in title]

Skele-Gro WIP01.jpg


Skele-Gro WIP02.jpg


Skele-Gro WIP03.jpg


Skele-Gro WIP04.jpg


Skele-Gro WIP05.jpg


Skele-Gro WIP06.jpg
 
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Re: Making s Skele-Gro bottle

Vaseline spray with a nozzle? I'm fascinated by this. What the heck is it used for?

And fantastic work!

-Rog
 
Re: Making s Skele-Gro bottle

Thanks for the encouragement guys!

This could grow into a Xenomorph. How cool would that be? :)
Yikes! :eek

Vaseline spray with a nozzle? I'm fascinated by this. What the heck is it used for?
Lubrication of fine mechanics. Ticket printers, in my case.
 
Re: Making s Skele-Gro bottle

Vaseline spray with a nozzle? I'm fascinated by this. What the heck is it used for?

And fantastic work!

-Rog

Would it work as a release agent? I always have Vaseline in the tool kit for a release agent, but use it sparingly because it can leave build up or streaks. A spray version would be awesome.

Thanks for the encouragement guys!


Yikes! :eek

Is that a no?
 
Re: Making s Skele-Gro bottle

Would it work as a release agent? I always have Vaseline in the tool kit for a release agent, but use it sparingly because it can leave build up or streaks. A spray version would be awesome.
Hmm... haven't really thought about it... probably not... Not because it wouldn't release your mold (I imagine it would), but because I think it would be really messy. I've never tried to apply it to a wider area like you would with a release agent, only small amounts to small areas, so when I get back to the office I'll try spraying it from more than a few millimeters away and see what happens.


Is that a no?
Let's see if I can make it grow into a Skele-Gro bottle first, shall we? ;)

Oh, by the way... does anyone know how I can change the thread title? That "s" was supposed to be an "a", of course, and it's really bugging me! :facepalm
 
Re: Making s Skele-Gro bottle

There has already been a run of the Skele-gro bottle done on the RPF, but I'm excited to see someone else's take on it.
 
Re: Making s Skele-Gro bottle

Oh, by the way... does anyone know how I can change the thread title? That "s" was supposed to be an "a", of course, and it's really bugging me! :facepalm

Edit your first post, then select "More reply options" and you'll be able to change the title.

Thanks for the info on spray Vaseline. Here it's a thick goop in a tub and I guess I don't really know what most people use that for either, but everyone has it.

-Rog
 
Re: Making s Skele-Gro bottle

Edit your first post, then select "More reply options" and you'll be able to change the title.
Thanks! Spelling fixed.

Thanks for the info on spray Vaseline. Here it's a thick goop in a tub and I guess I don't really know what most people use that for either, but everyone has it.
Yup. I've got a small tin of that stuff too. Supposed to make your skin soft, or something along those lines, I think. What did I use it for? Mold release! :)
 
Re: Making s Skele-Gro bottle

There has already been a run of the Skele-gro bottle done on the RPF, but I'm excited to see someone else's take on it.
Yep. That was Hotshot, wasn't it? I think that's the thread where I found a lot of the images and the labels uploaded by other members.

Looking great so far!
Thanks!

(Hey, look! I figured out how to use "Multi-Quote"! Yay!:p)
 
Not yet... I haven't done much at all since my last post. Real life got in the way, as usual...
I still intend to finish it, though. Just not sure when... :unsure
 
Keep up the good work!
Looking quite nice! The sculpt is very clean. Looking forward to seeing in evolve!
Thanks for the encouragement, guys!

That was me indeed! I've sold literally hundreds of these! Five molding made! Whew!
Hundreds?! Wow... RPF:ers must be extremely prone to accidental bone loss... or osteoporosis... ;)
Seriously though, that's impressive! Good job!
 
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