Touch the Clouds - Driving my Clay to Mountain Trails Gallery in Jackson Wyoming - Part 35

Traveled 344 round trip to Mountain Trails Gallery in Jackson Wyoming to deliver the clay of "Touching the Clouds" who was a was a chief of the Minneconjou Teton Lakota (also known as Sioux) known for his bravery and skill in battle, physical strength and for his diplomacy in counsel. The youngest son of Lone Horn, he was brother to Spotted Elk, Frog, and Roman Nose. There is evidence suggesting that he was a cousin to Crazy Horse. He was 6 feet 5 inches tall. He must have been an amazing figure of a man.

Touch the Clouds - October 18th to December 10th to Create - the Finish part 2 of 2 - Part 34

I started "Touch the Clouds" on October 18th of this year. Nearly two months later, I'm putting the finishing touches on this clay. This last day was a full 12 and a 1/2 hours.

Touch the Clouds - Right Hand - Finishing up the clay part 1 of 2 - Part 34

Just putting the last touches to the clay. Thought I was going to do the shield, but in the long run.. decided not to add it.

Touch the Clouds - Right Hand - Leggings and Shortening Arrow - Part 33

Mostly off camera today.. My brain is fried and thinking of camera angles was a bit to much for me today.. Besides I spent 4 hours doing his moccasins.. and filling in the leggings... How exciting is that? I did find an old shield I'd made for another clay years ago.. that I never used.. and it works just fine with this clay.. so trying to figure the positioning of it today. Started his back and left arm..

Touch the Clouds - Right Hand - Leggings and Shortening Arrow - Part 32

First shortened the Arrow, because the arrow was about 4 inches to long for the type of arrow it is. Started, and finished the right hand holding the arrow. I also removed the fluff on the feathers at the tips because that was a sign of a senior or old warrior. Since this warrior is in his 20s he didn't meet the reason for the fluff. I then placed the piece back on the larger sculpting stand and started working on his leggings.

Touch the Clouds - Working on Detailing the Headdress - Part 31

Just adding detailing to the headdress today

Touch the Clouds - Gluing Feathers to Each Other With Soft Clay then Painting the Feathers - Part 30

The feathers to his War Bonnet, needed to be sealed to each other, so I used soft clay in between the feathers, where they meet, and then squeezed them together, allowing the clay to kinda glue them together. After I did all that, using a mat finish house paint, that I had matched to the color of the clay, I painted the feathers to match the color of the rest of the piece. This has a two fold result.. It allows people to be un-confused, when then see the feathers. If they were in dark wax at the gallery, they spend all their time wondering why the two colors.. instead of looking at the total piece. Second reason for painting them, is for me, so my eye isn't confused by the two colors, allowing my imagination to work in the finishing of the clay.

Touch the Clouds - Adding the feathers to the Headdress - Part 29

After doing some work on the upper body, and smoothing the skin, I then started to add feathers to his War Bonnet.

Touch the Clouds - Working on his face today - Part 27

Before working on the bonnet I need to get the face tuned up. I also plotted out the placement of each feather on the headdress.

Touch the Clouds - Major work on the upper Torso of the Warrior today - Parts 25 and 26

Video Above...Before working on the bonnet I need to get the upper torso ruffed in.. and the right arm.. Discovered that the forearm of the armature is pretty simple.. so I sculpted the bones in the arm so I can get the connections for the muscles. I figure TruForm (www.truform.com) did that on purpose, because the structure of those forearm bones change, depending on the twist of the wrist, so to speak.


The above video... Before working on the bonnet I need to get the upper torso ruffed in.. and the right arm.. So went back in after I ate my dinner and worked till 10pm. Continued on the right arm, then moved to his shoulders. I raised his head just a bit. Touch the Clouds didn't have a short neck. I finally worked on the face and head, roughing in his hair and braids. I need to get the hair in place because that adds to the size of the hat part of the headdress.

Touch the Clouds - Short Update - Part 24

Working out the game plan for adding the feathers to the warrior's war bonnet. Also needed to get out orders for my DVDs to the Post Office.. They're being mailed to as far a Rio De Janeiro..

Touch the Clouds - Parts 20, 21, and 22

Part 20...In the above video just finishing up the 4 center feathers for the headdress today, then I have 12 more secondary feathers to create. Once those are done, then I'll assemble the headdress on the warrior, Touching the Clouds.


Part 21...In the above video another day of doing feathers.. the last of them ..



Part 22...In the above video I'm trimming the feathers down and adding the dark end to them. This is the result of doing feathers for over almost 50 years of doing feathers in clay and wax. These are in wax.

Touch the Clouds - parts 18 and 19 - Feathers

Started creating the feather blanks today.. I would place a roll of Victory Brown Wax, fairly warm, between two pieces of Masonite sheets a 1/8th inch thick and then I'd roll them till they matched closely the thickness of the Masonite. I'd then take a Dry Wall Spatula to shave off a thin layer that stuck up above the Masonite.. so that the finished blank was a uniform thickness for the next stage.


Brought the blanks home.. and now I'm doing them in a kind of systematic production into finished Feathers. Nice to sit home in a snowstorm in my PJs ... keeping warm and cozy.. I've been working on these feathers all day... Still working on them tonight at nearly 6pm.. and probably have another 2 hours before I'm done with them all and then I have to make 12 more feathers tomorrow

Touch the Clouds - Creating the first feather - Part 17

I started the armatures for a 32 feathered headdress yesterday, today I tried to get started with the wax feathers.. Managed to get three blanks for the Chief's Feathers, that will be in the front center of the Headdress... Managed to get on of them done so you can see how I do it. I'll be working on Sunday.. Hate doing that but the deadline is rapidly approaching to get this piece in the Gallery...

Touch the Clouds - Starting 32 Feathers for the Headdress - Part 16

I started the armatures for a 32 feathered headdress by cutting up Bailing Wire... I've decided that I'll be making them out of wax due to the light weight of the wax...

Touch the Clouds - His Face Begins to Appear - Part 15

Started Touch the Clouds portrait.. His face begins to appear..

Touch the Clouds - Working on the Upper Torso - Part 14

Started the upper Body today.. After visiting Gloria 'D' in Virginia City, getting advise on War Bonnets.

Touch the Clouds - Working on the Trade Blanket on the Warrior's Waist - Part 13

Today, worked on the Trade Blanket around the waist, of the warrior. He has wind pushing from behind, so through the folds created by the wind's actions, I try to capture a moment in time, that will also complement the figure. Creating the story.

Touch the Clouds - Really short day - Part 12

Forgot to get a block of clay softening last night as I left the studio. So had very little to work with today. Thus a very short day..

Touch the Clouds - Legs take shape then foaming again - Part 11

Started on the warrior's legs again. Just roughing them in, then I start to fill between his legs where the Robe will be. I need to fill the area in with foam. Can't have that much vacant space under the blanket that will be sculpted next, so I fill the area with Taxidermy Foam.

Touch the Clouds - Using a TruForm 12 inch Armature - Legs take shape - Part 10

Started on the warrior's legs. All sculptures need a good foundation. Working from the bottom up is how I'm going to approach this piece..

Touch The Clouds - Three Days of Videos for You to Enjoy: Parts 7, 8, & 9

In this video, I'm going to show you an easy and quick way to scale up items to match the scale of the figure or just about anything you are sculpting.. so guns don't seem to small or big.. and Feathers, you're creating, will not be to big or to small. I'm Using a publishing program called "Printmaster 8.0".
After doing the scaling video, I went to the studio to get the clay ready for the next day. I show how to warm it, and then cut it up for better handling. I use a plastic dishpan to put my clay in.



The following video, I start adding clay to the armature.

Touch the Clouds - Using a TruForm Armature - Starting the 1/2 Life Size - Part 6

Today.. continued on the base of this new clay.

Parts 4 and 5 of The Creation of "Touch the Clouds"

Sorry, been so busy the last week, I didn't get around to putting up these two episodes of the process of creating "Touch the Clouds". So here they are.. first part 4, then below that part 5.

 PART 4
 
 PART 5
 

New Clay - Touching the Clouds - Using a TruForm 12 inch Armature The Warrior Appears - Part 3

I've been working on a new clay.. Nothing really matters on what I've done the last week because the whole idea crystallized today. I've decided to do a sculpture of a particular Warrior who's name is, TOUCHING THE CLOUDS. He was a was a chief of the Minneconjou Teton Lakota (also known as Sioux) known for his bravery and skill in battle, physical strength and for his diplomacy in counsel. The youngest son of Lone Horn, he was brother to Spotted Elk, Frog, and Roman Nose. There is evidence suggesting that he was a cousin to Crazy Horse. He was 6 feet 5 inches tall. He must have been an amazing figure of a man.

Day 2 of Fine Detailing THE PROTECTOR Getting it Ready for the Foundry

"The Protector" Second day working on fine detailing...

Day 1 of Fine Detailing THE PROTECTOR Getting it Ready for the Foundry

"The Protector" Has had a long journey to this point. I started this piece in, I believe, 2009. It was originally a full figure of a warrior, but the clay sat to long and it started to collapse under it's own weight. So a couple of summers ago, I cut the figure down, and ended up with this bust. Now I've got to get it ready to be molded and cast into bronze. So I'm repairing the damage done to it from sitting in a gallery in Jackson Wyoming over the last two summers.

8th Instructional DVD - Creating a Full Horse and Rider by David Lemon

Just spent pretty much of all this past week taking over 71 videos I'd posted on Youtube, and edited them down to just 1 hour and 28 minutes. This video is a short glimpse at parts of that Instructional DVD that I'm offering.. First 20 Orders for this DVD will get a Drawing from me included.

123D Catch - Figured out a good setup for Shooting Photos of my Clay

Figured out how to shoot my work from one camera position while turning the turntable with a fixed light setup. 123D Catch is a free program.. Maybe why really complicated items are hard to get to work on it.

Delivering Capt John Lovewells clay to the foundry

Went the 130 mile round trip to the foundry in Bozeman to deliver the clay reduction of Capt. John Lovewell to be cast into bronze. Dropped off the unfinished clay of Mountain Family clay for a bid on what it will cost to produce so I can set the price on the finished bronze.

Photos of "MOUNTAIN FAMILY"

Just finished taking pictures for promotion of my "Mountain Family" clay.. It's not finished yet, but is close enough for pictures.. I'll be taking this to the foundry to get a bid tomorrow.. so I can set a price on the finished bronzes.

Captain John Lovewell Reduction - Day 8 Final Day on John Lovewell Reduction

Just putting the last finishing touches on Captain John Lovewell's reduction clay. John Lovewell (October 14, 1691 – May 9, 1725) was a famous Ranger in the 18th century who fought during Father Rale's War (also known as Lovewell's War). He lived in present-day Nashua, New Hampshire. He fought in Father Rale's War as a militia captain, leading three expeditions against the Abenaki Indians. John Lovewell became the most famous Ranger of the eighteenth century. Although the outcome was a draw, Lovewell's Fight marked the end of hostilities between the English and the Abenakis of Maine. This conflict was a turning point. So important was it to western Maine, New Hampshire and even Massachusetts colonists that the Fight was celebrated in song and story, and its importance was not eclipsed until the American Revolution. More than one hundred years later Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (poem, "The Battle of Lovells Pond"), Nathaniel Hawthorne (story, "Roger Malvin's Burial") and Henry David Thoreau all wrote about Lovewell's Fight.

Day 7 and 8 Finishing up the Captain John Lovewell Reduction Commission

These two videos cover two full days on the clay. This is the last I'll be working on this commission. Next step is taking it to the foundry.

Captain John Lovewell Reduction - Day 6 - Tailoring Capt. Lovewell's 1725 Coat

The coat Capt. Lovewell is wearing is typical of 1725 in the Colonies.. The length of coat, the collar, as well as the sleeve length and cuff width were the parts that would change with the fashion of the time. Today I worked on the coat. Fine tuning it and getting the folds right in the back of the Jacket..

Captain John Lovewell Reduction - Day 5 - Re-Creating the Club Butt Musket Carried by Capt. Lovewell

Just re-creating the Musket that Captain Lovewell is carrying.. This is a Club Butt Musket. It was used well into the early 1700s in the Colonies..

Three Days of in one Posting

Been so busy lately, I forgot to post my latest videos on the Lovewell piece.. so here they are...

Captain John Lovewell Reduction - Day 1 - Mounting and Adding First Clay

I start adding clay to the Digitally Reduced figure of the 36 inch tall Captain John Lovewell.. A commission that I completed a couple of years ago. This is a milled foam. I was expecting a perfect 3D Digital Print in Resin.. but through miss information it was done in foam.. leaving no detail at all. It did get the figure .. so I decided to make the best of a bad thing. Today was my first Day on this figure.

Travel The Foundry and the Beginning of a small Commission

Today I made a trip to Northwest Artcasting in Bozeman Montana, to pick up a foam reduction, of a 36 inch tall clay that I did a couple of years ago of a early colonial man. It was of Captain John Lovewell.. who died in 1724 in an Indian Battle. I will be adding clay to this foam form, and re-creating this work at 17 inches tall. Below is a picture of the original 36 inch clay of Captain John Lovewell that I created.

A New Instructional DVD - Mysteries of the Foundry - Clay to Bronze

In this video, I show the new DVD and what you get, when you purchase it. I also show you where and how you can purchase all my Instructional DVDs. I even show you how to play it on your Mac, by downloading the VLC Media Player. It's a way of watching on your Mac, a video created on a PC. It's a free download. I use VLC for all my videos on my PC. Additionally, my Instructional DVDs can be played on your TV through your Blu Ray DVD player as well as on any DVD player.

My 7th DVD - Clay to Bronze - a six year collection of Foundry Tour Videos

I was asked to put a video DVD out, that showed the whole process of casting a bronze.. from delivering a clay to the foundry, until it's placed on it's base as a finished bronze. I went through over 6 years of my Youtube videos trying to take parts from them all to give you a continuous follow through of that process. I believe you'll find this 35 minute video very informative as well as educational. Here is just 1/10 of that video.. in a review To purchase this video, just go to the right column on this page and at the top you'll see the drop down menu for purchasing this and the other 6 videos. That menu is just above the "BUY NOW" button.

Six Instructional DVDs Offered by David Lemon, Western Sculptor

An updated video, now showing a review of all six of my Instructional DVDs that I have to offer you for sale.. DVDs filled with 49 years of knowledge, that I've gained, on how to create what you see in your mind's eye.. and put that into a three dimensional clay.

Two Days of Detailing

Started this video on Monday, then worked on it again on Wednesday evening. Just basically detailing the Mountain man's shot pouch, and adding the powder horn. I decided to hang it differently since the change of design. The way it was hanging before, it was in plain sight.. but when I added the lady, she hid it. So just switched the way it hung on the Mountain Man's shoulder.

Working on the Blanket and Dress of the Woman

Just adding clay to the trade blanket the Mountain Man is covering his Indian Wife with. Then I work on the dress of the lady, giving the dress an uneven bottom. Then I added temporary feet. That's pretty much it.

Adding a Fur Cap - Eyes - and a Blanket

Started this video on Saturday night just before Fathers Day. I talk about my mom, then I get to work on the clay of the Mountain Man and his Indian wife and baby. I start by adding a fur texture to the man's cap. Then I change the direction of her eyes by reworking her eyelids. Finally I add the blanket he'll be covering her with.

Getting Closer Together and Getting a Title

Worked on getting the Mountain Man's wife a little closer... started re-working her dress, adding more folds in it... Changing the angle of his head and body several times. Think I've got it now. Lastly I added his missing arm. I'm working on a title for it. "More Precious Than Gold" is the updated title as of this listing. If you want to see these two figures being created from scratch, you can purchase the 2 Instructional DVD's I made on each one. "The Mountain Man" DVD and "Indian Woman With Baby is the other". On my blog page you can get them in the upper right column where the "Buy Now" button is.

Stressful Changes and Chopping

Really went to work on changing the design of the clay of the Mountain Man and his Wife and baby. I had to attack the clay, and get rid of most of the Mountain Man's blanket that once covered his head. 

Two Clays Joined - Classic Cars - You'll have to watch

Decided to combine two clays and to make them one. I'm calling this combo "Mountain Family". Both these clays had Instructional DVDs made of them as they were created. If you'd like to get those DVDs, just follow my instructions in the video description on the Youtube link. During a break today, I walked down to the end of the building I'm in to visit two great guys who had a couple of augmented old car classics.. Hope you enjoy that part of this video.

Thought's of what to do with existing clays

Today's video .. discussing what changes I possibly will be making to these clays to spark them up a bit.. They ain't singing to me yet... They're kinda humming to me at the moment. "Approaching Storm", the clay I start out with will stay the same.. just need to clean it up and repair it. It's been sitting for a while and the clay's cracked in places from moving it around.

Moving Back Into My Summer Studio

I've spent the last couple of weeks straightening and moving my studio from my bedroom back to my studio,which is a little over a mile from my house. I review my tools and show the clays collecting dust in my studio. Need to sell them to get them cast and nothing is selling at the moment.. Partially lack of money and the economy is the reason they are stacking up.

Delivering and picking up clays Coloring of a Bronze

I dropped off a couple of clays about a week ago to get a bid on them. I picked them up today. In this Video, you'll see a wax that's being shipped to a computer company in .. I think .. Oklahoma, to be scanned and then a resin copy will be made, 18 inches tall, and then it will be cast into bronze for the client who commissioned this piece. I also check up on a bronze that's ready to be colored.. well.. today.. at the time of this posting. I added a video at the end showing how the bronze is colored, from August 2013.

How I Edit My Videos - 6th Instructional DVD

I made this video to describe how I use my Video Editing Program on my Computer to create my instructional DVDs. In this one I show me working on 10 minutes of my, now, 1 hour and 10 minutes of video for my 6th DVD.

Still Working On The Mountain Man

Been working on the Mountain Man today. I added the blanket that he's wearing to get himself out of a rainstorm.. and here he's peaking from under it to see if the weather is breaking... This is a new Instructional DVD, number 6

A Video from May of 2010 of the Coloring of "Bronc Stompin"

"Bronc Stompin" is a bronze I did a few years back. I went to Northwest Art Castings in Bozeman Montana, on May 26, 2010, to get it colored. Issac, the patina person, using heat and chemicals, turns the bronze into a dynamic colored bronze. Just thought I'd re-share this video, for those who wonder how bronze is colored. This bronze is still available in a limited edition for sale.

Your On A San Francisco Cable Car April 1906

A historical ride (camera mounted on the front of a cable car) down Market Street in San Francisco on April 14, 1906. It was one of the first 35mm films ever taken. The clock tower at the end of Market Street at the Embarcadero (Spanish for Wharf) is still there. The film was originally thought to be from 1905 until David Kiehn, with the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, figured out exactly when it was shot. Produced as part of the popular Hale's Tours of the World film series, the film begins at the location of the Miles Brothers film studio, 1139 Market Street, between 8th and 9th Streets; it was filmed 14 April 1906, four days before the devastating earthquake and fire of 18 April 1906, which virtually destroyed the entire downtown area. The negative was taken by train to the Miles New York office on 17 April 1906, narrowly saving it from destruction by one day and thus preserving a moment in the history of San Francisco that would soon cease to exist." New York trade papers announced the film showing the wet streets from recent heavy rainfall. Shadows indicated the time of year and actual weather conditions on the historical record. The records even provided when the autos were registered and who owned them according to the issued plates. It was one of the first 35mm films ever taken. I gathered many videos off the web, with teams of horses going down paved streets, to get the sound of their hooves. I also, because I couldn't find any earlier cars, recorded 1926 Model T's to get the sound of those engines. I also got the sound of the trolley from inside.. like the camera was, from a video of a ride on a San Francisco Trolley. I wanted to try, in some small amateurish way to add the feeling of the surrounding noise of that day. Hope it worked ok for you all.

Kens Tools - Revisited - Texturing

I revisit the tools from KensTools.com and try out the texturing tools, this time with cling wrap.. The thick plastic I was using yesterday was interesting but not what's called for. So I created an eye.. and tried making wrinkles and skin texture.. It worked out pretty good.. with practice It should be a good thing.

Reviewing Kens Tools Sculpting Tools

Giving my review of Kens Tools.. http://www.kenstools.com for some incredible sculpting tools that are used by many scuptors in the art departments in Hollywood.

A Good Day to Stay Indoors....

Just a view out my window and front door of a day of winter and snow. It's 12 Fahrenheit (-11 Celsius) degrees at 8:45 am. Warmer than the -14 Fahrenheit (-25.5 Celsius) it's been for about a week.

Working on my 6th Instructional DVD - Continuing Sneak Peek

Today's peek at my new DVD on sculpting, shows the progress with the mountain man I'm creating. Using a Pasta Machine, and having one in one's studio, is a must as far as I'm concerned, for no matter what you sculpt.

From November 2011, I Take a Tour of the Wax Room at the Foundry

Back in November 9th, 2011, I shot this video as I took my bronze, The Plains Warrior, back to the foundry, and shot a video tour of the wax room and ceramic rooms at the foundry. I then show the storage area where all the molds of all the artists that the foundry serves are stored. This is just one of several storage facilities. Just reposting this video, because I'm always asked how bronze is created.. this is just the first steps in that process.

My 6th Instructional DVD and a Sneak Peek at the Progress of the Clay

Another sneak peek. I do wish I could just post each day's video in full.. This as best as I can do for now. I have one maybe two more DVDs to make, then I'm done with them, and I'll be back to doing full videos of future pieces. In this video, I am figuring out the blanket that will be sheltering the Mountain Man from the rain.

Starting Another DVD on Sculpting day 2

This is the second day on the armature and I started to add clay.. Again this is a peek at my new DVD.

Starting my 6th Instructional DVD Day 1

I know it's been a while since I've posted anything and I do apologize for that. I've been busy with a new project that I'm putting on DVD. It will be the creation of a Mountain Man. Here is a peek at the beginning of this new clay.

A Review Of All Five Of My Instructional DVDs That I have for Sale

I've taken literally over 6 hours of video, and reduced it to just over 12 minutes. I've taken all 5 of my instructional DVDs and edited then down on one video. This Video. I show parts of ever one of them so that you can look and decide if one or more are what your looking for. I spent two days putting this together. I hope you enjoy this video.

TruForm Armature and Imagining Possibilities

An artist/sculptor has to visualize his next project. Looking at the simple stance of this Truform Armature, gets my mind working. Feeling the clay in my mind on the armature, I feel a subject form in my head, and once that form solidifies, then I start to create. It's just a short video explaining what goes on in my brain as I look at this armature.

Showing Another Use Of A TruForm Armauture

Today I show another use for the TruForm 24 inch tall armature. You can buy this or the larger one, and then instead of putting clay on it. Use it to work out your proportions for an armature you'd want to make, and keep this, for future projects.

Finishing up "Unconquerable Spirit" with a Scarf

'

Started the video showing how I'd gone through photos of Southern Cheyenne Indians and found that they didn't over adorn themselves. Mostly they work scarfs. Oklahoma is a dusty place. I put the finishing touches on this 24 inch tall bust today. I'll be taking it to the foundry this week sometime to get a quot on the costs of re-producing it.. this will allow me to set a price on it in bronze.

Making a clay Eagle Feather to Scale

Today I scale the eagle feather that will adorn this warriors head. I create it using Print Master Gold publishing program. Printing out the full size feather, I then make an armature for the feather using cardboard and a cloths hanger.

Day 3 on the Life Size Bust

First time this year, I've found the time to work on the life-size bust of the warrior. I added just his hair today, and will pick up on it on Monday when I'll sculpt a couple of feathers to adorn his head. To all of you who follow my blog, I wish you a very wonderful New Year.