This week on Sketchy Details @Home, we're responding to episode 5.5 of Face Off. The contestants had to create an original earth goddess/Mother Earth character pulling in inspiration from their mother. Most chose to ignore the second set of instructions, so I did, as well. Watch the episode, then click through for all the behind the scenes gossip.
- I really did make a conscious choice to remove the arms from the PVC armature. The poncho fit over them and looked fine with a long sleeve shirt, but I liked the movement more without the arms. It's a little creepier that way.
- If I were to do it all over again, I would have abandoned the falling leaves. It muddied the picture on the face and just made it monster, not beautiful monster.
- I have a huge stack of Halloween fabric that I always intend to use for costuming my characters and never budget the time for. This year will be different.
- The bright blue is my typical white foam primer. Foam insulation is designed to absorb moisture and will begin to fall apart under layers of paint if the base coat doesn't completely cover all the exposed surfaces.
- Knotting rather than sewing the fabric just made more sense for this character. I can better control exactly where the pieces sit than with tailoring on a form that will shift in the wind.
- The hole in the neck will be hollowed out just a little more with a hot knife for a more secure fit. I'll also use duct tape to affix it to the neck/shoulders for outdoor display.
- To secure your PVC structure while working on it indoors, put one or both legs in a bucket of sand. It will hold the character firmly in place.
- If you're fully committed to the shape of a character made with PVC forever and ever, use PVC comment to hold all the joints in their exact positions.
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