I'm a huge fan of the half-life video game series. In this particular games, the creature I hated the most was the so called "headcrab", a kind of spider who jumps at the face of its victim to gain control of its body.
I thought it would be a good challenge for me to come up with my own stone interpretation of the headcrab.
There's almost no flat volumes in this creature, it's entirely made of curves, muscles and claws.
Here's the final result.
I thought it would be a good challenge for me to come up with my own stone interpretation of the headcrab.
There's almost no flat volumes in this creature, it's entirely made of curves, muscles and claws.
Here's the final result.
Here are some intermediate steps in the making of this sculpture.
Before actually beginning sculpting I had to do some preparation, as this is a rather complex subject.
I will always start with some drawing. As this creature already exists, I could skip this step and look out for some original game footage/models.
Before actually beginning sculpting I had to do some preparation, as this is a rather complex subject.
I will always start with some drawing. As this creature already exists, I could skip this step and look out for some original game footage/models.
Isn't he cute ? Wouldn't you love being chased by one of these in a dark alley ? :)
Next comes a clay model. This is a crucial tool for me : i can quickly prototype the project (it still took me several hours to make it). Having this 3d model also helps me to respect the proportions of the subject.
Next comes a clay model. This is a crucial tool for me : i can quickly prototype the project (it still took me several hours to make it). Having this 3d model also helps me to respect the proportions of the subject.
Now the real work begins !
First, find the stone which will match the overal size of the project.
Next, start sculpting !
First, find the stone which will match the overal size of the project.
Next, start sculpting !
You'll notice I saved some matter under its belly. I did this because I wouldn't risk letting the sculpture hold on the front and back arms as they might break under the weight of the central body.
The upper part is almost complete. Notice all the little irregularities ? I'll have to smoothen the whole sculpture using abrasive disks.
It took me almost 2 days to completely grind the sculpture due to its complex shape. Once the upper part was nice and smooth I sculpted the under part, which holds 6 small claws.
Here's the final result !
The headcrab is approx. 30cm wide, 30cm high, 46cm deep and weighs 30kg. I had to use a 16mm steel rod to support it.
The base is made out of the same bluestone and weighs 20kg. It's almost black because It was grinded 5 times (using thinner abrasive paper at every step) and finally polished with special wax (which gets the color from a dark blue to almost black).
The base is made out of the same bluestone and weighs 20kg. It's almost black because It was grinded 5 times (using thinner abrasive paper at every step) and finally polished with special wax (which gets the color from a dark blue to almost black).
These are the little claws under the headcrab. The darker writing is my signature.
I hope you enjoyed my sculpture !
You can find more pictures on my flickr stream.
You can find more pictures on my flickr stream.
