Technology
ENLARGEMENT BEGINS!
The file is off to my vendor in Oklahoma- introducing Synappsys Digital Services. They will take my digital file and enlarge it using foam and a milling machine. I wrote an article about this process in the Winter 2007 issue of Sculpture Review.Here is a pdf should you like to read the article and see the process.
This is from the Prairie View A&M Blog created for this project.
The Process – The Reason For A Digital Model
In traditional sculpting process a sculptor might present pencil sketches to a client to approve a design. Instead we sent digital models. The reason for these models are that we can see what a sculpture will look like from all directions. Sculpting is not like painting, you have to walk around the sculpture and have it present well from all sides. Digital models help us to do that. Another aspect of the digital model is that I can sculpt on it in the computer adding some detail before sending it off for enlargement. The digital model will really aid us in enlarging this sculpture as you will soon see. Before sending this off for enlargement the university requested I change the shape of the tail. They are concerned with breakage. We tried different tails with the pose and settled on something similar to this. Of course these are only digital sketches, of the direction we are going.
This is from the Prairie View A&M Blog created for this project.
How Big Is It?
That is a good question. Here is a sketch. Now, B. Mongeon Sculpture Design is not responsible for the pedestal, that would be the landscapers decision. But I’m for having a short pedestal. I am sure there are many students, visitors and alumni who will want to have their picture taken next to this massive sculpture. Hmmm. I wonder who will be the first? I hope you will all send your pictures to me Bridgette ( the at sign) creativesculpture.com. I would love to put them on the blog.
This is from the Prairie View A&M Blog created for this project.
Solar Sintering? Wow, 3D Printing is Even More Cool
Markus Kayser talks about SolarSintering Project on his website.
He states
“In a world increasingly concerned with questions of energy production and raw material shortages, this project explores the potential of desert manufacturing, where energy and material occur in abundance.
In this experiment sunlight and sand are used as raw energy and material to produce glass objects using a 3D printing process, that combines natural energy and material with high-tech production technology.
Solar-sintering aims to raise questions about the future of manufacturing and triggers dreams of the full utilization of the production potential of the world’s most efficient energy resource – the sun. Whilst not providing definitive answers, this experiment aims to provide a point of departure for fresh thinking.”
Markus Kayser – Solar Sinter Project from Markus Kayser on Vimeo.
One Last Look at The Prairie View A&M Poses
My client, Prairie View A & M had some revisions and wanted an adjustment to poses. These were sent to them today. We are behind about 3 weeks on our deadline. Once we have these approvals I’ll be working closely with my vendors. Synappsys Digital Services is going to enlarge and mill this out for me in foam creating a large foam armature. I am trying to secure an apprentice to assist me for the next three weeks of very long days. I actually only have two weeks to sculpt this to get back on schedule. I am not sure that is physically possible, but if I score and secure the intern/apprentice I hope to get, I think I will be fine. Tired but fine!
These are digital sketches. Created using a 3d model found in Content Paradise and using Carrara to pose it, Mudbox and Zbrush to work on the some of the detail. It is impossible to get exactly what we want to see in a large sculpture.
There are several reasons. Just as it would be difficult creating a small maquette in clay that would be enlarged to a big cat. A sculptor sculpts to the eye and how it is viewed. The eye sees things differently large than it does small, and some things just won’t translate. That is why my client will be asked to approve the final sculpted piece before it goes to bronze.
To see these images larger, just click on each. I can’t wait to get the armature back and work on this.
Searching For a Final Pose
I should know which sculpture Prairie View A&M will pick. For those looking for still images instead of the images in the video showing all sides of the sculpture, here are stills of the 5 poses.
As I told my client- Please remember these are just sketches. Most artists do pencil sketches. I like these 3d models as we can get a feel for what a pose looks like from all sides. Once we pick a pose I can then do the detail on the sculpture, add muscle and more panther structure, and will send that to my client. When I do, I will be sure to send them close up of the face and expression as well as the figure. Even more detail will come with the large sculpture created in clay.
Crocheting Brings Awareness About the Health of Our Oceans
HYPERBOLIC
Reefs, Rubbish, and Reason
I was introduced to this work a couple years back and was absolutely so intrigued.
Margaret Wertheim, HYPERBOLIC co-curator, science writer and author is also the co-director of IFF, The Institute For Figuring. The Institute For Figurings is an organization dedicated to the poetic and aesthetic dimensions of science, mathematics and the technical arts. Wertheim describes the beautiful math in coral in this TED video She explains how this geometry can be demonstrated through knitting and crocheting. Don’t you love it when art helps us to understand science!
Wertheim went on to display works and create a world wide involvement with knitters around the world who are knitting a coral reef to bring awareness to ocean health. What is our social responsibility?
I do hope that IFF and Margaret Wertheim will one day let us interview her for the Art and Technology podcast. I’m looking forward to exploring the future possibilities and encouraging others in their exploration and love of our great earth.
If you are interested in viewing the Hyperbolic reef for yourself and you happen to be in Pasadena, CA check out the exhibit HYPERBOLIC Reefs, Rubbish, and Reason June 7 — August 21, 2011 For more information here is a link to The Williamson Art Gallery, click on the word “now” in the left hand column. Now, If I could just get the show to come to my neck of the woods. We in Houston and the Gulf Coast have a special desire to make others aware of the social responsibilities for the health of our waters!
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Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at https://creativesculpture.com.
She is also the owner and creator of the God’s Word Collectible Sculpture series
Follow the artists on twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter twitter.com/creategodsword
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/bridgette.mongeon
Listen to The Creative Christian Podcast or the Inspiration/Generation Podcast Click on Podcast Host Bios for a list of all podcasts.
Listen to the Art and Technology Podcast
So Excited- FREE 3D Sculpting With Pixologic? Try Sculptris
The new version of Sculptris is currently available as a free download at: www.pixologic.com/sculptris I can hardly wait to download it and give it a try. Thanks Pixologic for offering this free and for making it in both platforms (Mac and PC). We Mac users appreciate your diligence.
So, 3d sculptors weigh in. I can’t wait to see what you create and hear what you have to say. Download it, try it out, and send me an email with your thoughts and comparisons.
Here is what Pixologic says in their press release.
Sculptris is an elegant and simple 3D modeling solution, offering artists a platform to harness their imagination and create 3D sculpts in a way that is unique to the digital world.
Tomas Pettersson, the bright young programmer and brainchild behind Sculptris commented: “I trust that, with this version, Sculptris will be more accessible for all people on both PC’s and Mac’s. Everyone should be able to sculpt!”
Sculptris introduces a dynamic tessellation system, giving its user the capability to sculpt or paint freely on any part of the surface without having to worry about underlining geometry. With Sculptris, triangles are automatically added as needed, and only to the areas where a stroke has been applied to the surface.
Users can do just about anything that’s possible with real clay. For example, they can pull, twist and pinch the surface, easily adding volume as needed without the rigorous attention to underlying structure that is typically associated with 3D modeling programs.
Pixologic envisions Sculptris as an entry level ‘eye opener’ for a new generation of artists wishing to explore 3D sculpting and digital creation. Fun to use, it’s also a truly effective tool that can be embraced by hobbyists and professional artists, alike.
For those wishing to explore further, Sculptris is seen as a perfect ground level upon which to build one’s skills while advancing to the substantial ‘world of ZBrush’.
Sculptor, Writer and Speaker
Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at https://creativesculpture.com.
She is also the owner and creator of the God’s Word Collectible Sculpture series
Follow the artists on twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter twitter.com/creategodsword
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/bridgette.mongeon
Listen to The Creative Christian Podcast or the Inspiration/Generation Podcast Click on Podcast Host Bios for a list of all podcasts.
Listen to the Art and Technology Podcast
Ceramic Extrusion And Homemade 3D Printer
I had heard it rumored that the home made 3d printer called Rep Rap was adding an extruder so that a ceramic mix could be pushed through the printer. I want to start watching this much closer and look at possibly doing this in my own studio.
I know that several universities have been working with this entire topic. The leading university in this is Solheim research laboratory . They are however using a very expensive machine. They have even made their recipe public, and are supporting and interested in other individuals endeavors into the research of this area.
My curiosity is in being able to use something in my own home studio.
Some posts on a rather new blog called Unfold-fab I am absolutely going to have to watch more closely.
Open3DP is Solheim Additive Manufacturing Laboratory in the Mechanical Engineering Department on the University of Washington campus blog. It describes their progress in ceramic printing in 3d.
Colbert Has His Head Created As A 3D Print
Makerbot talks about scanning and creating a 3d copy of Colbert. For those who are not aware of the Maker bot here is a link to them. The other leading 3d homemade printer is RepRap.
I have seen the cup cake which is the baby Makerbot in action. Sure would like to get one of these, but I’m holding out. I think the Reprap is now offering a ceramic 3d extrusion attachment. Now we are talking.