Sean Gregory Animation: LET'S MAKE A TORTOISE PART 3

Monday 5 May 2014

LET'S MAKE A TORTOISE PART 3 - THE SHELL!

HELLO!

Today I will be talking about making the shell of my tortoise!

So to start off, I created a very basic balsa wood structure for the front and back.

I wanted the front to be detachable from the back, so the above design was actually held together by magnets.

I then sanded down the shape into something more shell-like, however I had to replace the magnets with K&S as there was no space for magnets once the shell was sanded down. :(

I then applied some milliput on the wood, allowed it to set and then did some further sanding with my dremel!

You may notice that there is a little lego gear inside this part of the shell, This actually moves up and down on a corresponding ladder piece that is attached to the hip inside. This was done so I am able to animate the shell bouncing up and down when he's walking (or doing anything for that matter!)

Here's the corresponding ladder

I then sculpted with super sculpey firm on top of the miliput and balsa core. and came out with this!

Here is the FINAL front of the shell.

To get this colour, I first sprayed it with a grey primer and then a browny-cream spray paint. NICE!

I also did the same process with the back of the shell. LOOKS LIKE CHOCOLATE!

mmmm.

Now you may think, 'SEAN, there's no rigging points to hold the character up when he's floating in the air!?!' Well, guess what!

There's a secret compartment!

I also created a little replaceable shell section that is magnetically attached so I can replace it with another exact replica, but with a hole in it!