Alien?

I bought a tabletop drill press to make eye balls. The machine looms over the room like a monster we all know and love. I still have to bolt the drill press to the workbench. That'll probably make me sleep easier knowing the "alien" can't leave the workshop.

I know it's silly thinking an inanimate object could become life-like.

Oh... wait a minute.

Aaaaah-hmmm

Since I'm trying to segue from conversion figures to figures made from molds, I'm not completing any figures. I find that very frustrating and sometimes depressing. I'm making step-by-step progress, but it's slow with very little to show for it.

The process involves study, acquiring new tools, reorganizing work spaces, experimenting with new techniques and buying (sometimes expensive) raw materials.

When I was happily turning out conversion figures, I'd finish and sell one per month. The last figure I completed was "Cecil" in June. I can't even predict when the next project will be completed.

All I can do is keep leaning forward. I'll be much happier though when I finally turn out my first vent figure made from a mold.

Still crazy after all these ears

Now he has ears that stick out pretty far. I want this fellow to be funny-looking, so big ears are a must. It's a subtle change, but I added some upper lip. Next step... the jaw and lower lip.

In my quest to start building molds, I purchased a tabletop drill press. The tool won't actually have much to do with molds, but it will help me make my own eyes. I've been drilling and routing with a hand drill. I've done okay with it, but a drill press (with laser sighting no less) will result in more precision and fewer mistakes.

Now, if I could just get my wife to teach me how to run that sewing machine...

What I antici-PATE

I covered the rest of this fella's head with Magic-Sculpt. Notice that I had to build up the right side of his head due to the part in Charlie's hair.

This guy's working his way toward being another mold model. Next, I'll add those big ears and I'll work on the lips.

Photos to come.

Cheek tweak

I've added jowels to lessen the "walnut cheeks" effect. Also, the eye sockets have been completed. After the Magic-Sculpt dries, I'll remove the eye tray and cover the rest of the head. Then I'll add a pair of "taxi cab doors" for ears.

Oh, by the way. HOW 'BOUT THEM DUCKS! (Oregon 39, Michigan 7)

Walnuts for the winter?

It's been a week since I posted. We spent the weekend in Eugene. I had a budget meeting with my boss on Friday, so we decided to hang out all Labor Day weekend with our friends. I went to the University of Oregon Ducks football game, which was lots of fun. Especially since we won. Next week the Ducks face Michigan. If you follow college football, then you know we'll be walking into a buzz saw. Michigan is bound to be pissed off at us for two reasons. One... we beat them last time we played. Two... Michigan was defeated last weekend by a team no one had ever heard of, which caused Michigan to drop all the way out of the Top 25 from No. 5 in the nation.

But I digress.

What you're probably wondering is.... "What the heck is going on with those cheeks? Is he trying to swallow ping pong balls? Is he hiding Brussels sprouts? Did he get stung by a bee on both sides of his face?"

(I know, I know. I'm workin' on it.)