Step 1 — Concept & Inspiration
I get an image in my head. An inspiration. I have a list where I keep the waiting ideas. I might doodle. I have to be surrounded by reference and the right mood. Thank you, Pinterest and Spotify.
I get an image in my head. An inspiration. I have a list where I keep the waiting ideas. I might doodle. I have to be surrounded by reference and the right mood. Thank you, Pinterest and Spotify.
From the start, I'm trying to put weight and life into a physical object in my mind, and sometimes drawing alone does not give me a satisfying result. So, I like sketching in 3D best. Starting with basic geometric shapes. Kids' blocks. I tend to work with a large silhouette and then "shave down". I'll decide what structure works best and edit my pose or scene. You never really know what can exist in the real world until you start setting it up to test the physics.
I let my hands see. Ceramic creatures take me anywhere from 3-9 hours to complete, depending on the size and pose. My pets are great reference! If I've been working in ZBrush I'll try some test prints and work on my support strategy. I try to make objects that will print well with little to no supports. I'll do a final once-over of the silhouette in any case and tighten up details. This final check and print is especially important when making molds. I plan ahead with the limitations of draft angles.
By now I have the final object ready to go. I've solved any issues my test prints have revealed. I can move into production for resin prints and focus on firing my ceramic sculptures. I glaze and paint where needed.
For products-- I prepare labels and price tags. I like to use handmade and recycled materials for a rustic look. At this stage I'm also documenting my favorite items and uploading proof of them here.