Antique Lilac
  • Home
  • for Sale
  • Galleries
  • Favourite Photos
  • Tutorials
  • Blog
  • Links
  • Books

Beads, Paint, and Glitter

1/15/2016

16 Comments

 
My dragon continues to progress, although slowly. I've designed new arms and wings for him, and decided how I intend to attach them to the body. They are sewn and stuffed. The top edges of the wings were extremely challenging to stuff. Now I'm waiting for the Apoxie claws to cure....
Picture
I need to wet the wings to let the first layer of paint soak in, and then find something to use for 3-D wing veins. After the top edges of the wings are painted, then I'll do some beading. The final step will be to build up the 'elbow' joint of the wing with Apoxie. 

I've painted the dragon's head and am very pleased. Now he's impatiently watching my progress on his limbs. It's going far too slow for his liking.....
Picture
So I got some pins to stick his arms on so he could see how they would look....
Picture
I think he's pleased....
Picture
I'm getting very excited about him!  I've always wanted to make a dragon, and even started a wire armature once-upon-a-time with the intention of sculpting one like Marianne's dragon.  But I really don't like sculpting, so he was never made.  I think this new technique of starting with cloth body parts, and building up details with Apoxie is "my" way to make a dragon. I much prefer working with fabric and beads. Minimal sculpting is tolerable, and painting brings everything together.

​I can't wait until he's done!
16 Comments
Lucy
1/15/2016 12:33:44 pm

That is a truly stunning dragon. You have definitely found a way to make the dragon you envisioned. Does he/she have a name?

Reply
Martha
1/15/2016 12:36:12 pm

Thanks! He doesn't look much like a Smallworks dragon anymore, does he? I hadn't thought of a name. I guess I should go Google "Dragon Names"

Reply
Jane
1/15/2016 12:49:16 pm

He is truly amazing *gasp*
He truly is a Martha dragon.....he is wonderful! Wow!

Reply
Brigitte
1/15/2016 12:54:02 pm

The dragon is extremely awesome and absolutely beautiful.

Reply
Lorraine
1/15/2016 01:46:09 pm

He's magnificent! He should be extremely pleased that you are such a stickler for perfection.

Reply
Donna
1/15/2016 03:09:30 pm

Wow! Wow! Wow! He's got personality plus! I'm almost as impatient as he is to see him all complete :o)

Reply
Martha
1/16/2016 11:13:28 am

I wish he was done, but there's still a lot to do. I have to finish beading his fins, and then bead the spines on his wings and a bit on his upper arms. Then paint all his claws, next layer on the wings. And THEN put the parts together.

Reply
Donna
1/16/2016 12:44:00 pm

He really is amazing and such a lot of work! Well, I guess he... and all the rest of us... will just have to be patient. But I think you need to be careful because he doesn't look too much like the patient type :o)

Inma
1/16/2016 06:35:15 am

WOW ! I think he is the most fabulous dragon I've ever seen ! I can't wait either to see him finished ! It is a lot of work but the result is just amazing ! I am curious, how did you attach the parts that are done with Apoxie, with glue ? Aren't you affraid they could be detached during transport or manipulation when taking photos ?

Reply
Martha
1/16/2016 11:17:32 am

The Apoxie is all in places where there's almost no give in the stuffed fabric. I wet the fabric, applied glue, then the Apoxie. It doesn't seem to come loose. The only spot where there were a few cracks was at the base of one of the ears where they flip back and forth, and the Apoxie was very thing. Even so, the cracked Apoxie didn't come off, but stayed attached to the fabric.

If something happens during a photo shoot, I can always fix it. It's not like I'm selling him, and need to worry about 'quality control'.

Reply
Laura J. Underwood
1/16/2016 09:47:19 am

GORGEOUS!!!!!

Reply
Laura J. Underwood
1/16/2016 09:50:23 am

Have you seen this, btw. Too big for dolls (about 4 feet tall), unless you are looking to have them meet a giant dragon. Price range is what keeps me from getting one just for fun (and space--he would take up a lot of space).

http://www.creativityinstitute.com/Hansa-Great-Dragon-Ride-On-Plush-Stuffed-Animal.aspx

Reply
Martha
1/16/2016 11:20:31 am

That is one giant dragon! But probably about "life-size" for an SD, and maybe even an MSD. But talk about expensive!, esp when you add in the extra 50% for our sinking dollar. There's no way I'd pay that for what is essentially a 'photo prop'. Heck, I wouldn't even pay $100. I'm basically 'cheap' so will make my own.

Reply
Sue link
1/17/2016 10:11:24 am

Glued on cotton might work for the veining, we use it a lot on model horses. It needs to be glue infused to get rid of the tiny hairs but it works really well glued into place and then something over the top before final colour coats.

Your dragon is amazing and I'm looking forwards to seeing him completed.

Reply
Martha
1/17/2016 11:36:03 am

I'm using 3-D fabric paint for the wing veins and for building up knuckles.

Reply
designdreamer
8/3/2022 11:36:10 am

I have NO IDEA WHY but I want to make a dragon!! (It's also what got me reading ALL of your blog posts from the beginning!! I've also been inspired to make fairies, cloaks Celtic maidens, etc. Now whether I'll actually get to them? We'll see.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Martha Boers is an award-winning Canadian doll maker and costumer specializing in fantasy and historical-style costumes.
    Read More... 

    Archives

    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.