See Hear Part 2 - Model-making

Coping with latex....disgusting

I made the armature and the structural elements of our model while Zoe created the clothing for it. We talked to Neil (studio technician) for advice and general information on approaches to creating a stop-motion model.

Research imagery for our model's appearance Zoe and I gathered:

 I ended up finding this model (right) in a drawer in the department. I really liked the form being carved out from balsa wood as this would mean it would be light so large forms could be easily created. I decided to base my structural design on this style.

Model structure & design

Creating the model's skeleton

Wireframe armature created using aluminium wire; 

Form carved out of Balsa wood & inlays created for wireframe to be glued into;

Heat shrink applied to neck & brass tubing glued on to be able to slot head on/off.

Held in vice whilst glue set

Model feet made from Milliput w/ metal plate glued on to wire armature for magnetic tie-down

Creating the model's hands

Aluminium wire twisted to make fingers; stuck into Milliput which is stuck on to wire aramature; dipped in liquid latex & painted afterwards.

Dried latex hands before painting (left)
Test hand created with excess Milliput (right)

Quick animation test using a GIF stop-motion app for phone

Creating the model's head

Balsa wood head w/ embedded brass tubing for slotting on head to neck;

holes made for eyes; Supersculpey used for skin & facial details.