Sunday 19 June 2011

Big Issue Seller

Since Christmas, Clive been back to his figure making, he usually does it after Steven is tucked up in bed and has had his bedtime story of Thomas the Tank read to him by his dad, (mum is NOT allowed to read the Thomas the Tank stories, in fact mum is NOT even allowed to touch the Thomas books, lol). Anyway Clive doesn't start till about 9.30pm...

The last one he finished was a Big Issue Seller, he doesn't actually plan what he's going to do, just gets an idea and goes with it.


At the moment the one he is working on and this one weren't copied from a photo or picture, like I said he gets an idea and goes with the flow... Some of the figures he has done in the past he's copied from photos, like when he did my mum and dad on their wedding day.


Also the latest few he's made have been started with florist wire, then used milliput to mould the body and in this case the dog too.


This process can take days, maybe weeks depending on what has to be added and letting the bits dry before adding more...


In this case the head has been used from a kit, as has loads of spares, but he then adds all the finishing touches that he feels brings the figure to life, like with this one a bread and longer hair...


and clothes... The shirt or jackets are usually made out of tissue paper and PVA glue to strengthen it, as you can get the creases and folds...


and when he thinks it's finished it, he then sprays primer on it as not only does it give it a base coat, but also to see if he is happy with the figure before the painting, as it shows up the uneven bits that might need sanding or filling in...


Then it's the painting...


...and followed with a photo shoot outside, with one of our garden railway buildings...





I think I have one clever hubby... but did say to him, how can he be a Big Issue Seller and not have any Big Issues to sell, he said he had just sold the last one, lol..

16 comments:

Diane said...

Wow !! Your right..you do have one VERY clever hubby !!

hugs Diane xx

Hi it's Maria said...

thanks diane...xx

SusieJ said...

This is fabulous work Maria - you have a very talented hubby there.
Hugs xx

Valerie-Jael said...

Lovely figure, clever hubby! Valerie

DGgirl said...

Wow Maria - that is absolutely brilliant, sooooo impressed!

Gillx

Hi it's Maria said...

thank you ladies, well it keeps him out of trouble, lol...xx

no seriously, it helps him to unwind... it's like me with my scrapping...xx

Carole said...

Wow! What a creative family you are! These little figures are so detailed, must take hours, Clive is very clever.

Hugs, Carole xxx

Hi it's Maria said...

thanks carole...xx

Susan said...

Absolutely incredible.

I am in awe of his talent.

Can remember those kits you used to get years ago where you poured plaster into a rubber mould and made Paddington Bear or a gnome or something.
Mine always just looked like a blob and I could never paint them neatly.

And laughing at you not being allowed to read or touch the TTTE books.

Hi it's Maria said...

thanks susan

and yes, my models would still look yuk, lol... do you remember 'shaker maker' sam was into those, lol...

as for TTTE, I'm only allowed 'smoke and fluff' (it's a ladybird rhyming book about 2 naughty kittens, lol)...xx

dottygin said...

oh wow maria, its fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!
so life like. yes he is one clever hubby. when he does the figures maria, do they stay outside in there little homes or does he bring all his figures in doors to protect from the elements of our weather?
you have a special anniversary comming soon, wouldnt it be fab if he could do a special for you. not neccesary actually you, you may end up fighting if he gave you a longer nose or something like that. lol
but something really special just for you.
hugs gina xxxxxxxxxx

Hi it's Maria said...

thanks gina, they stay in doors, only going out if we have people round and the trains are running...xx

Svjetlana said...

Fantastic, well done to your husband.

Hi it's Maria said...

thanks svjetlana...xx

jeanie g said...

Wow Maria just read this and I agree your hubby is very very clever. You have an outdoor model railway too!!! I'm so jealous. jeanie g

Hi it's Maria said...

thanks jeanie...xx