Redwood Coast Creative Arts

Fire Dragon Final Sculpt- waiting to be painted

 

 

Fire Dragon, Fiery Bits

OK, Here is where I am at and I must stop here for the night.  I have added all of the fiery bits, painted the muzzle/nose with the first coat of paint, and grafted "dragon-skin" onto most of the face.  Next I will add some glass beads for a bit of bling, final cure, and then paint up in layers.  I'm pretty happy with the results and although it is a bit heavier than I would have liked I think that the strength and extra detail gained with all of the skin and extra parts is worth it.

 

OK, now I am off to handle my pathetic mess of a kitchen (yes, after midnight!).  I've been working on the mask all weekend and the dishes have procreated in my sink, those dirty bastards! 

Fire-Dragon-Keeper Brooch

While the "dragon Skin" cured I made myself a bit of fiery jewelry.

Skin Graft on THe Fire Dragon's Nose

I'm finally getting to the fun part of this project.  Building The face up has posed some challenges but, now I get to decorate and I LOVE this part.  I have just grafted "dragon Skin" onto the nose/muzzle and forehead. 

Now I am working on some fiery bits to give the appearance of flames around the edges of the dragon skin and then on to the final paint and bling.

Fire Dragon got a nose job

My Fire Dragon got a nose job.  The original noses were way to wimpy for a bad-ass Fire Dragon!  Here is the under-structure for the new and improved Bad-Ass Fire Dragon!!!  What do ya think?

Nose job I

 Nose job II

 

After the structure cures and hardens I will paint, add nostrils, and the lower muzzle gusset piece.

Back at work on my fire dragon mask

Back to work now.  It needs a muzzle with flared nostrils and some fiery bits to give it more dimension.  Right now it looks like The Pan's Labyrinth Faun wearing a crown.  The pain will also be more red and black I used copper for the base because I want the metallic glow to shine through.  I will paint up in sheer layers to give my dragon fire a burning, fiery, glow.

Base coat of paint has been added to the Fire Dragon Mask

I finally smoothed out the rough edges, cut off the crooked cheek, and got a base coat of paint on my mask.  This mask is taking so much longer than I had anticipated.  I am stumped on how to build the muzzle.  I have to watch the weight.  I don't want the mask to be too front heavy.  The horns and frilled crest already add a significant amount of weight to the piece. 

 

Mask II, Phase III- Horns Attached

Mask II, Phase III- Horns have been attached and heat cured.  The whole thing is a bit heavier than I would have liked but, I do LOVE the big, twisted horns! 

The next step is to add a light under coat of paint before adding the muzzle, nostrils, and some fiery bits.  I don't want any white to show through.  I think that would ruin the whole fiery effect.

I was originally going to add ears as well but, to keep the weight down and wear-ability up I have opted not to.  Dragons are related to reptiles and birds after all and reptiles and birds have no outer ear.  So, my fire dragon has only inner ears, you can't see them but they are there!

 

Mask I- completed

Well, Mask I is finally complete.  I painted it and embellished with beads.  All that is left is a bit of elastic to hold it on the head.

Here is a pic' of my friend Irma modeling it.........

Mask II, Phase II- Dragon Frill Crown and Phase III- Horns

Mask II, Phase II- Dragon Frill Crown

This crown gave me a lot of "FUN" challenges to figure out.  It fell apart and ripped many times requiring several repairs and a supportive backing.  I am happy with the final results. 

 

Mask II, Phase III- Horns

OK, so this is the second set of horns for this mask.  The first set were made over an armature of newspaper and were too heavy to attach and balance well on the mask.  I need to keep the weight down so that the mask can be worn comfortably for an evening of dancing at the masquerade ball!

I know that these horns don't look like much in marshmallow-white but, once all of the components are together, painted, pearlized, and blinged-out they will be devilishly fabulous!!!