Mirrors

I'm working on version 2 of Trenzado, and that means resculpting the other side of his face since his hair will not be covering it (I actually did sculpt it originally and then covered it with hair, though I didn't fully detail it out with wrinkles and whisker bumps and everything). Since I'm doing v2 from a resin cast, there's no way to recover any of that detail so it all has to be rebuilt.

Of course faces are pretty much symmetrical, which is always a bit of a challenge. Here's what I do:

A mirror! This one conveniently stands on its own and came from IKEA but they're available everywhere (you probably already have one). A hand mirror works ok, and is what I used until recently, but this makes it a bit easier to sculpt while looking at the other side. Getting the lighting just right, so both sides are lit evenly, can be a bit of a challenge, but it's doable.

And yep, standard messy desk and references in the background.

Trenzado is now available!

I'm just about typed out, so I'm going to keep this brief--Trenzado is available now! He's going to be an edition of about 100 in this version (there will be a second version with a different mane) plus 20 or so artist's proofs, depending on how his molds hold up. Lots of pictures and ordering information at http://maggiebennett.com/trenzado.htm

Trenzado

I have seriously neglected this blog, mostly because I've just been so busy making horses! My latest sculpture was just finished last week and is already at MVS being molded. You can see (and order) him at http://maggiebennett.com/trenzado.htm

I'm really looking forward to getting the first resins of him, which if all goes well will be in just a few weeks! I'm spending those weeks trying to finish everything else that needs to be done so that when he comes in I might be able to paint one or two in time for Breyerfest.

Speaking of Breyerfest, I'm going to have a booth (along with Morgen Kilbourn) in the Covered Arena! Do stop by and see me if you're going to be there! I'll have resins, micro minis, and all sorts of goodies!

In the meantime, back to cleaning and shipping Superluminas and finishing commissions! :-) I'll try and get a post with some sculpting or painting tips up here soon.

Superlumina is now available!

I just realized I haven't posted here since October--bad Maggie! I have just been unbelievably busy with a number of project--from paint work commissions, to finishing Superlumina, to a number of other commissions.

One of those other projects is now available for purchase: a Bantam scale Secretariat edition, sculpted by me and each painted by Caroline Boydston! They're pretty darn neat, if I say so myself, and available at http://secretariatcom.stores.yahoo.net/little-big-red-figurine.html  There's going to be a Zenyatta one too, in the same scale, and they are pretty awesome as well. I'm not sure when those will be available for sale to the public, but the first few were released at Zenyatta's Breeder's Cup party.

My biggest thing lately, though, has been Superlumina: http://www.maggiebennett.com/superlumina.htm. I released her (first to Supernova purchasers, and then to everyone) and just got the first resins in, cleaned up, and ready to ship out (yep, the first eight should be shipping to their owners tomorrow, if all goes well). And I have to say, the response to her has been phenomenal. She's already about half sold out. Personally I can't wait until I have a bit of time so I can paint one for myself, though I don't know if that time is ever going to come! I'm going to be painting a number of them as commissions as well, so that will be fun.

Back to working on a base to put Supernova at the same level as Superlumina!

Just keep working...

I've been sort of obsessing over Superlumina here--just dragging myself away to work on other projects! I have a number of commissions that need to get finished, so they are top priority, but in between I just keep poking at her and adjusting things. I fixed some of the muscling in her neck, changed her nose, and pinned her ears back. I also made a lot of changes to her tail over the weekend, though neither tail nor mane are nearly finished. I've got plenty of detailing to do, too--right now, areas like her hindquarters have texture, but it's not the final finish, just something to work over the top of.

Superlumina

BreyerFest has come and gone, and now months later I'm finally making another blog post! I have been incredibly busy, mostly with a variety of painting and sculpting commissions, but also with pretty Miss Superlumina! I made this neat little interactive video thing with her as she is right now: http://www.shoogleit.com/1250-0_Superlumina-In-Progress

I've been making a lot of little changes to her--her mane and tail changed totally, but I also adjusted her position, refined her legs, adjusted some proportions, etc. A lot of that has been done in the last week, and everything that isn't grey on her was among those changes this week. She's certainly not finished, but I do think she really is getting there.

On top of that I have been painting (all commissions, no sales pieces right now) and sculpting (customs and original sculptures, but again--all commissions!), so there hasn't been much time or energy for posting. But a lot of my deadlines for various projects are coming up in the next month, so hopefully once all are done I will have a bit of breathing room. I love being busy, but sometimes it gets to be a bit much!

And, in case the Shoogleit interactive video doesn't work, here's Superlumina!

BreyerFest!

Last minute plans being what they are, I am now going to BreyerFest! And I have a table in the Artisan's Gallery (in the Clarion/Holiday Inn North ballroom)! I myself will not be arriving until Friday, so Thursday night my table will be manned by a helper. She will have some items there Thursday and I will have some more to add on Friday.

I have some really awesome new items to release, including two new small-scale pieces (one of which is pictured above)! I'll also have painted and unpainted resins and all the available micro minis. I'll even have a few brand new pewter pins--a new venture for me! I only have eight right now (four each of two different sculptures), so if you're interested in checking those out come by Friday!

One of the pieces I'll be releasing is a awesome project that's been in the works for a year. It's a *painted* edition of 60 pieces, about 2" tall, and let's just say it's a very famous horse. Stop by my table to check it out--starting Thursday.

I'll have my newest sculpture in the works there as well! Lots of goodies to check out. Again, she'll be arriving with me on Friday, so do try to stop by Friday or Saturday if you can!