Sculpture by Charles Sargeant JaggerAt the moment I'm working on two new sculptures. I've been particularly inspired by a WWI British sculptor named Charles Sargeant Jagger. In 1935 he published a "how to" book, which I was able to purchase through Amazon.com. His technique involves doing a full unclothed figure followed by dressing it in both uniform and gear.
Last month I attended an ecorche workshop at Studio Incamminati, a Philadelphia fine arts atelier, conducted by painter Robert Liberace. The term ecorche had never crossed either my mind or lips prior to signing up for this incredible class. Ecorche is French for flayed. Robert showed us how to create a figure from the bones up. His working knowledge of the skeleton and muscular system was as expansive as mine was lacking. So....I'm trying to make up for lost time. Here are the two pieces I have in progress.
240 Gulf Machine Gunner-work in progress, plasticine over a sculpey/wire armature. I built the boots piece by piece, starting with the sole, adding the heel cup, and then the tongue and side panels. Right at the end I'll add the boot laces. The leg at the left will have a drop holster added, hence the flattened pocket. The right leg cargo pocket is hanging low.....bursting with everything from extra food to ammunition and AA batteries.
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Battle Pause in Husayba
Another medium I'm experimenting with is called yupo. Yupo is a synthetic paper that's very adaptable to watercolor. It allows for dramatic "puddleing" effects and its brillant white surface is the ideal compliment for watercolors.
Overwatch, New Ubaydi, Operation Steel Curtain-watercolor on yupo
8 comments:
The sculpting amazes me and awes me. I look forward to the finished projects. The Yupo paper, well, as a typcial watercolorist, I gotta have it! Thanks for the tip!
And congrats on your show!
Okay, I bought some Yupo paper - it is wild! Since I am kind of a controled painter, it makes things interesting. I will post my trials tomorrow.
For those of you experimenting with yupo paper I recommend a hair dryer and mixing your water with rubbing alcohol....this speeds up the drying time. Also, you can remove pigment easily with a Q-tip and rewet as needed with a spray bottle.
Thanks, I needed that.
CWO Fay,
The poem by Robert Frost, "Fire and Ice" is my favorite from his body of work.
As for your own artistry I wish you much continued success as you put your efforts to such good use.
Best Regards,
LCDR Tammy Swofford, USNR
how can I get in touch with Chief Warrant Officer Michael Fay. I have some important questions for him about the process it took to get involved with the Combat artist program
Cpl. Shane Anderson
monamant@gmail.com
Fascinating work -
interesting technique in the sculpture and the intensity of color on the Yupo paper is amazing.
good interview!!
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