Best Of
Bz-Bzazu the Shaman-King
Hi! My name is Olga, I'm an amateur sculptor from Ukraine. I love sculpting fantasy creatures and have been working on the series that I call Grimwood Edge for some time now. This is Bz-Bzazu the Shaman-King. At first, I made a concept using Super Sculpey (painted with acrylics).
Later on, I made a new version that I wanted to cast, so I sculpted it from scratch using Monster Clay and then cast it in resin. Each cast is also painted in acrylics.
Re: What's On Your Workbench? (Spring 2025)
Here's my March/April project so far... I just recently started a whole build. I'm making a predator suit from scratch based loosely off the Hippie predator from the Lost Tribe at the end of Predator 2. I've been sculpting pieces, molding, painting, and fabricating.
So it's latex in some parts, a part foam and latex body suit, EVA foam in others, and more... a little mixture of everything, so the Stan Winston tutorials have definitely been great for some tips and tricks on things like the musclesuit which I had never done before.
So it's latex in some parts, a part foam and latex body suit, EVA foam in others, and more... a little mixture of everything, so the Stan Winston tutorials have definitely been great for some tips and tricks on things like the musclesuit which I had never done before.
It's not finished yet, but it's getting there.
Re: What's On Your Workbench? (Spring 2025)
Hi everyone!
This last year I gave space to my huge passion for monsters and beasts...so here are some of my latest creations.
They are all made of clay, painted with drybrush technique...what do you think?
Every advice will be appreciated!
Thanks!
This last year I gave space to my huge passion for monsters and beasts...so here are some of my latest creations.
They are all made of clay, painted with drybrush technique...what do you think?
Every advice will be appreciated!
Thanks!
Masauro
5
Whoa, Sandworms! You h̶a̶t̶e̶ ̶'̶e̶m̶ love 'em, right?
Inspiration: Tim Burton's Beetlejuice // Spirit Halloween's Prop Design
Size: ~4' 5" tall and +10' (when all three pieces are touching, larger when spaced apart)
After seeing Spirit Halloween's smaller, ground breaker sandworm design - I figured I could build something bigger for my kids' "Trunk or Treat" at school. The prior year, I decided to build a 10X size human skull, but wanted something even bigger this year (which was foolish... given this was only my second time working with foam).
To prep for the build, I probably watched Tim Martin's Styrofoam Prop Making workshop 3... 4... maybe even 5 times to get the confidence to start.
It all started with a lot of graph paper, planning, and attempting to acquire enough 12"x12"x18" blocks of foam. From there, I blocked out my creature using Great Stuff foam spray and bamboo skewers to hold the blocks together. Once everything was blocked out - I drew some general outlines and got to chopping (hand saw), shaping (hotwire), and carving (rasps and razor blades).
The only non-foam block/board elements were the foam clay used around the eyes and teeth, as well as to make the tongue; and then the epoxy eyes, which I poured because I could not find the exact size I wanted for a reasonable price.
Around the base of the three sections I used more Great Stuff to buildup "dirt" and then artificial grass to cover up the plywood bases.
The sandworm was a HUGE hit at both "Trunk or Treat" and on Halloween!
My favorite thing about it is probably the fact that it is semi-load bearing... as my 10 year-old sat on the mid-section for a family photo op.
Size: ~4' 5" tall and +10' (when all three pieces are touching, larger when spaced apart)
After seeing Spirit Halloween's smaller, ground breaker sandworm design - I figured I could build something bigger for my kids' "Trunk or Treat" at school. The prior year, I decided to build a 10X size human skull, but wanted something even bigger this year (which was foolish... given this was only my second time working with foam).
To prep for the build, I probably watched Tim Martin's Styrofoam Prop Making workshop 3... 4... maybe even 5 times to get the confidence to start.
It all started with a lot of graph paper, planning, and attempting to acquire enough 12"x12"x18" blocks of foam. From there, I blocked out my creature using Great Stuff foam spray and bamboo skewers to hold the blocks together. Once everything was blocked out - I drew some general outlines and got to chopping (hand saw), shaping (hotwire), and carving (rasps and razor blades).
The only non-foam block/board elements were the foam clay used around the eyes and teeth, as well as to make the tongue; and then the epoxy eyes, which I poured because I could not find the exact size I wanted for a reasonable price.
Around the base of the three sections I used more Great Stuff to buildup "dirt" and then artificial grass to cover up the plywood bases.
The sandworm was a HUGE hit at both "Trunk or Treat" and on Halloween!
My favorite thing about it is probably the fact that it is semi-load bearing... as my 10 year-old sat on the mid-section for a family photo op.
Hippie Predator Suit Build
For 2025, I wanted to step into unknown territory and do something I had never attempted before. That was to build a creature suit for cosplay, and when it came to choosing what path to take, for me there was only one choice. I had to make one of the most iconic creatures that had ever come out of Stan Winston's shop... the Predator!
Instead of purchasing a suit or the parts, I decided I was going to build it myself. Fortunately, I had not only the vast knowledge to be gained from the Stan Winston School of Character Arts fantastic courses but the support and encouragement of many members of the Hunter's Lair predator costume/prop community.
It all began with sculpting my first predator head out of WED clay last year. Fortunately I was able to get some great tips and learn how to work with it and mold and cast from the courses...
How to Make a Latex Rubber Mask - Tim Martin
And
How to Sculpt with WED Clay - Tim Martin
I also had to learn airbrushing, so I would not have been able to do any of this without the courses...
How to Airbrush - Craig Fraser
How to Paint a Monster Mask - Steve Wang
Taking all these various skills I have learned over the last year, I combined everything. So for the last month and a half I cast a latex head, made molds and cast polyurethane dreads, made a foam muscle suit and coated it in a latex skin, built foam armor, weapons, and a staff. It's been a hectic few weekends doing this all in the limited spare time I've had, but I'm proud of the results I've achieved bringing my take on Hippie from the Lost Tribe as seen at the end of Predator 2 to life.
Hope you enjoy!
https://youtube.com/shorts/8Sjbrh2Q8Xo?si=FiI25qhtLerd_t8Q
https://youtube.com/shorts/HmIv1SaS20I?si=ocsvkT70mWAaDUN1
https://youtube.com/shorts/t5mjRiV6X4Y?si=li8wtybpmqEyxvck
Instead of purchasing a suit or the parts, I decided I was going to build it myself. Fortunately, I had not only the vast knowledge to be gained from the Stan Winston School of Character Arts fantastic courses but the support and encouragement of many members of the Hunter's Lair predator costume/prop community.
It all began with sculpting my first predator head out of WED clay last year. Fortunately I was able to get some great tips and learn how to work with it and mold and cast from the courses...
How to Make a Latex Rubber Mask - Tim Martin
And
How to Sculpt with WED Clay - Tim Martin
I also had to learn airbrushing, so I would not have been able to do any of this without the courses...
How to Airbrush - Craig Fraser
How to Paint a Monster Mask - Steve Wang
And
Latex Mask Painting Techniques - Casey Love and Tim Gore
Then for the creature suit, I made my first muscle suit this March utilizing techniques picked up from the courses...
Muscle Suit Fabrication - Ted Haines
And
Make a Monster Suit - Alec Gillis
Then for the creature suit, I made my first muscle suit this March utilizing techniques picked up from the courses...
Muscle Suit Fabrication - Ted Haines
And
Make a Monster Suit - Alec Gillis
Taking all these various skills I have learned over the last year, I combined everything. So for the last month and a half I cast a latex head, made molds and cast polyurethane dreads, made a foam muscle suit and coated it in a latex skin, built foam armor, weapons, and a staff. It's been a hectic few weekends doing this all in the limited spare time I've had, but I'm proud of the results I've achieved bringing my take on Hippie from the Lost Tribe as seen at the end of Predator 2 to life.
Hope you enjoy!
https://youtube.com/shorts/8Sjbrh2Q8Xo?si=FiI25qhtLerd_t8Q
https://youtube.com/shorts/HmIv1SaS20I?si=ocsvkT70mWAaDUN1
https://youtube.com/shorts/t5mjRiV6X4Y?si=li8wtybpmqEyxvck
Re: What's On Your Workbench? (Winter 2024-2025)
I have a Ferengi update!
The fiberglass molds came out alright, though I think I would make them a couple layers thicker next time around. I do not like working with fiberglass; the little tiny particles get everywhere and itch like crazy even with all the appropriate PPE. I might try a cotton+ultracal version of the mold in the future.
The fiberglass molds came out alright, though I think I would make them a couple layers thicker next time around. I do not like working with fiberglass; the little tiny particles get everywhere and itch like crazy even with all the appropriate PPE. I might try a cotton+ultracal version of the mold in the future.
My first pour went… not great, but it was my own fault. I had one container of ecoflex Part A mixed with pigment, and another container of fully mixed parts A, B, and pigment. While pouring, I accidentally poured from the wrong container into the mold. I knew immediately that I had messed up, but decided to press on and see if it could be saved. This is what it looked like out of the mold:
There was a similar big nasty gash in the back, and there were pockets of pigmented part A inside the piece. I decided to use this opportunity to learn how to patch. I scooped out the uncured goo, mixed it with part B, put it back in, and held it together with plastic wrap. I poured silicone into the mold in thin layers to make patches with the skin texture, and then used more silicone to attach those patches. It ended up looking alright!
Then today I poured a second one, which came out near perfect. There were a couple bubbles on the top of the head, frustratingly right next to my bleed holes. But I’ve patched those, and I’m happy with it!
Re: What's On Your Workbench? (Winter 2024-2025)
I spent all day in the shed today, and got the clay wall mostly laid up for the molds. I ended up stopping there and covering everything in plastic to keep the clay wet overnight, because my shoulders started to hurt. Tomorrow I will make the front half of the fiberglass mold. This is not my first time making molds and casting objects, but it is my first time working with fiberglass. Hoping it goes smoothly! 'skekSalt' the Skeksis
This is skekSalt, my puppet/costume of my original Skeksis character. I love the Dark Crystal and have wanted to try my hand at a Skeksis for a while. I also love pirates, so when it came time to design my Skeksis I chose to style him on the most decedent pirate of all: Captain Hook (specifically Jason Isaacs Hook from 2003).
He is obviously inspired by the Dark Crystal but he is my own character and design. I sculpted his head and hand in clay, moulded them and cast them in latex. I built the mechanisms, the costume frame, and fabricated the costume. The eyes, teeth, hair punching, painting and all finishing was me too. So I'm too blame for his shortcomings haha.
I hope you all like him. I'm yet to decide on a title for him but he loves treasure, stalking the Sifan Coast, and sailing the Silver Sea as a pirate captain. Maybe some of you in this forum can help me come up with a title for him?
There are 9 photos below.
He is obviously inspired by the Dark Crystal but he is my own character and design. I sculpted his head and hand in clay, moulded them and cast them in latex. I built the mechanisms, the costume frame, and fabricated the costume. The eyes, teeth, hair punching, painting and all finishing was me too. So I'm too blame for his shortcomings haha.
I hope you all like him. I'm yet to decide on a title for him but he loves treasure, stalking the Sifan Coast, and sailing the Silver Sea as a pirate captain. Maybe some of you in this forum can help me come up with a title for him?
There are 9 photos below.
Full size Horse Puppet-Bunraku style
I created this full size horse puppet for my local children's theater group's production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The horse was modeled after the horse puppets created for the stage adaptation of War Horse. It is constructed of PVC pipe and plywood and has fully articulated joints as well as moving ears and cable controlled tail. Movement required coordinated efforts of 3 puppeteers controlling the head, front and hind legs, respectively. The puppet could accommodate a rider as well. To say the least this was very physically demanding on the puppeteers. Thanks again for looking!
Springtrap Fnaf
This is my Springtrap cosplay i spent this year working on!
The head base and jaw is 3d printed so i could have the most accurate shape of his head since it was so specific. The eye lids have a mechanism i designed so i can "blink" when i open the jaw or as in the first picture stare wide open. I designed the eyes so there is a hole where the iris should be, this way i was able to sculpt the inside eye color and pour resin over it so it has depth. I then proceeded to drill a hole from the back of the eye to install a small LED light so they give light!
The body, arms, hand palms, waist, legs and feet are allmade out of 5mm EVA foam, i tried to design it closely to the original design.
The fingers are also 3d printed, i designed those so i coould put my fingers in the seperate pieces and then added a spring powered extension to each finger so i could still curl up my fingers and they wouldnt look so stiff.
The entire suit is coated with a greenish furr which i dirtied up with dry brushing black acrilyc over it and then i tried to simulate water damage with brown oil paint over the edges. The inside of the suit is painted metalic so it really looked like a metal prison.
The head base and jaw is 3d printed so i could have the most accurate shape of his head since it was so specific. The eye lids have a mechanism i designed so i can "blink" when i open the jaw or as in the first picture stare wide open. I designed the eyes so there is a hole where the iris should be, this way i was able to sculpt the inside eye color and pour resin over it so it has depth. I then proceeded to drill a hole from the back of the eye to install a small LED light so they give light!
The body, arms, hand palms, waist, legs and feet are allmade out of 5mm EVA foam, i tried to design it closely to the original design.
The fingers are also 3d printed, i designed those so i coould put my fingers in the seperate pieces and then added a spring powered extension to each finger so i could still curl up my fingers and they wouldnt look so stiff.
The entire suit is coated with a greenish furr which i dirtied up with dry brushing black acrilyc over it and then i tried to simulate water damage with brown oil paint over the edges. The inside of the suit is painted metalic so it really looked like a metal prison.
