Clay has one big disadvantage!

Joy · #1 10-30-2007, 01:33 PM

Or maybe it is a positive thing. But by the time I work up a carving in clay....I decide the design isn't good enough to carve. At this rate I may never get to carve again

This is the 4th evolution of the big cats I started forever ago. I think it is a keeper, but I would love your input on the design. By the way....it is a jaguar (big head). The baby doesn't look babyish enough.....

Suggestions and comments would be appreciated.

falconer · #2 10-30-2007, 01:49 PM

Joy, I think it's coming along just fine!! One of the reasons we work in clay is to work out the "bugs". Stay with it, what you need to do will come to you. Sometimes as artists we just need to know when to walk away from it for awhile. I work in clay all the time especially with a large peice and the good part about it is I can add or take away from it unlike wood. So, stay the course, it will work out.

www.sierracreekstudios.com

Robert Cahill · #3 10-30-2007, 01:51 PM

I think it looks good but I am not real good at telling cats apart. my main reason in responding was to say that the newest issue of Smithsonian had an excellant picture of the head of a Jaguar. Thought you may be interested

Joy · #4 10-30-2007, 02:15 PM

Thank you, Falconer. I haven't given up on this one.....I just want to carve instead of working in clay

I'm sure I am just too impetuous. I'll keep on "keeping on".

Thanks Robert. I will check out the the issue. The more resources the better. I have Desiree's book on big cats which has been a big help.

mark yundt · #5 10-30-2007, 04:44 PM

The clay is moving along nicely.At this point you can push it around till it suits you,,would you feel the same way or worse had you been carving in wood and got to this conclusion,,and how would you "fix" it.? You can answer those questions and resolve those problems now without too much fuss.

Joy · #6 10-30-2007, 04:58 PM

You are absolutely right....if I keep pushing the clay I will come out with a better end product. But when I'm carving I feel like I am learning and improving with every cut. So even if I end up with fancy fire wood....I feel like I have learned something. I realize I am learning a lot about "seeing" when I work the clay.....but like drawing, it just isn't as satisfying to me.

I know.....I want to run before I can crawl!

Claude · #7 10-30-2007, 11:48 PM

Joy:
To me, the big cat's right arm (front leg) looks to be too far to the left. The shoulder, in other words, is too broad. I think the little one looks great, although it has different shaped ears than the big one; big one is more pointed, and little one is more rounded.

All in all, looking pretty good!
Claude

doris · #8 10-31-2007, 04:04 AM

hi joy, i like the cats are so pleasingly arranged, the hidden s-curves move the eye along nicely. makes a peaceful mood...i woulld like see this, or similar in wood

Joy · #9 10-31-2007, 09:06 AM

Thank you, Claude. I will work some more on that right arm today. I think babies ears tend to look more rounded and it also depends on how they are "holding" them. But I will do some more research and check it out.

Doris, thank you for looking. Hopefully, this one is going to move to the wood stage.

mark yundt · #10 10-31-2007, 09:33 AM

Joy,,if I am reading this correctly,,the big cat is laying with it's body to the left,correct? Not facing you directly? If so,,the big cat's leg is pretty close to where it should be,,if it were head on then the leg would be out of place.And the little ones ears are I believe rather round and puffy looking as opposed to a mature cats ears where they become more defined and pointed.You're doing just fine,,keep going.