Now, I believe I talked about talking about the hip joint or the thigh? Or was it something pointless, that I was promising to discuss?

I dunno, we'll say it was the hip joint and thigh (it probably was, I don't reread my posts). I've decided to do a combined post on this because I forgot to take enough pictures.

Starting with the image of what we accomplished last time:

If you read the neck post, then you know what the toothpick is for. For anyone now joining us, the toothpick acts as a post for articulation. So, much like the neck, you have to create another paper "ball-bearing." Same process, and I'll add the images down here.

So as you can see, it's the same thing. Now, in this case, I still haven't glued down the ballies, or the toothpick. I haven't cut the toothpick to fit either. That comes after the thighs.

That being said, on to the thighs.

Now, I apologize, because my photos of these steps are... Incomplete and inconsistent. So, please, bear with me.

Now, we start with the base thigh, in this case it's a rather nice little cone-like shape. This is a good shape for a base, it gives a nice, natural look whether you sculpt onto it or not. For Dwyn, I didn't sculpt anything on to it.

For this, your gonna want to put the top part of the thigh up next to the toothpick and cut a tiny divet into it where you want it to connect. I've also taken to cutting a portion of the back of the knee out, at an upward angle to allow for slightly better articulation. Then, cut a little rectangle.

Then, roll it and make a little cylinder.

Then, make another one, one that's just a little smaller than the one before.

Next you smash the cylinder into the top part of the thigh.

Like so.

It should look something like this. I should also mention that I cut the same divet into the cylinder as I do the thigh. Glue the tube into place. 

That being said, I'm going to include these pictures of Marta, because I used a slightly different method for making her things.

Ball joints, cone shapes, and toothpick; all the same. Only difference here is I chose to leave on a little extra on the top of the cone, partially because I wanted her to be taller, and because I wanted a more seamless method of connection for the ballie.

As you can see the top shape is a bit different, it still needs the cylinder, just for added reinforcement. Now to explain the purpose of the extra paper, that acts as a casing for the ballie, the socket, if you will. I usually make it a simple rectangular strip of paper, and I cut a divet into it too, as well as I curve the edges of it once it's glued down. 

I apologize, because this is the part where I failed to take photos of the process.

This is the finished image of Dwyn's thigh, the one above sort of shows the socket set up.

Now, if you're following along at home, you may notice that the tube doesn't fit at the top. Simple solution, put some glue in the empty space and on the outer wall of the cylinder, stuff it. Stuff it with toilet paper, or napkins, or tissues. Take your pick.

As for the next post, I'm not sure. I have plenty of things I can still explain/expand on, but I'd like to know if you readers out there had any questions that could be covered in the next post. If not, I'll just continue on my merry way.

Tis time for yet another installment of me making paper stuff. As it's been a long time since the last post (oops), I'm going to stick with something sort of simple.

The Hips.

Here is a comparison of the original (albeit, enlarged) figure next to my Dwyn mod. So for this modification, I simply gave more space for the leg to swing up. This allows for a decent enough amount of posability.

How is this articulation acomplished? On the original base, with a pipe cleaner. On Dwyn, with more paper and yet another toothpick.

As you can see in the above image, to the left of the hips is an oddly shaped piece of paper, this is the piece that will act as the toothpick holder and an additional support for the hips. It's basically the pelvic bones just a lot simpler.

So once you cut out one, cut out maybe three or five more since it should be equal on both sides... At least I think it should be.

From there I like to stuff the piece into the hips, as a sort of brutal test fitting. If it fits, I decide where I want to toothpick to fit through, and I poke a hole into all of the pieces, once I fish them out of the hip.

From there, it's a bit hard to see, but fit the pieces together and glue them in place. 

Use your own metal toothpick tool to make sure that the holes are lined up properly. Or a regular toothpick, if thats all you have.

Next, stuff it carefully into the hips. Sometimes it may take some harsh pushing, poking, and prodding, but it'll get in there. One way, or another. Once it's in there, glue that thing down and leave it to dry.

Once it's secure jam a toothpick through the pre-poked holes. This may take some gentle persuasion as well, since the toothpick can break. Do not glue the toothpick yet, I'll explain later.

(I do apologize, this is Marta in the last pic here, not Dwyn. This was just a better picture and it's all the same process anyway)

So, by the end of this ever so long awaited post, we have made the base for the hip articulation. Next, we'll actually articulate the thing. Which demands that I actually finish making the thighs.... So the next post might be on the thighs and we'll leave hip articulation as a sort of cliff hanger. Or maybe it'll be a double feature. We'll see.

See, I said I'd keep up with posts! ...Well, until school starts, then we'll probably switch to my favorite brand of toothpicks (It's the Family Dollar ones, just for those interested).

But in all seriousness, I said I'd talk about the neck toothpick, and my tools.

Firstly, tools. Because I only took one picture.

Here they are! I was gonna describe everything, then it occurred to me that I have no idea what the actual names are for most of these. So I'll post how I use them as I go.... And if anyone has questions as to what a tool is in this, I'll try and find out the official name.

So to start, here's the torso so far with the neck toothpick. So what is it for? Asked no one. Well, first let's go on the process and see if anyone can guess along the way.

Step one: Raid your paper remnant bin. Now, I like to use scissors to cut things. It's a very scientific process, that all those years of schooling prepared me for.

Cut a really long triangle.

Like this one. 

Then we move on to the more tedious part that's also laden in copious amounts of glue. So I don't have any pictures of it because I couldn't touch my phone.

Now, it you looked at the picture of my preferred tools, there was a tan cylinder looking tool with a flat end and a metal toothpick end. I take the wide end of the paper triangle and wrap it slowly, and tightly around that tool, gluing as I go, and making sure it doesn't get glued to the metal. The end result is below.

Having finished the little paper.... Ball-bearing? Jam that little thing on to the neck toothpick. And glue it down. Tah-Dah! Neck joint. Though it only works so well, next is the attachment for the head.

If you can look to the top right corner at the forlorn rectangular piece of paper, that is will become the point of insertion for the bearing. Take it, and roll it into a cylinder, making sure it fits on the DRIED ball bearing. Once you're sure, pluck it off and glue it into the head, preferably at the point where the head and neck connect.

With luck, it has a really good range of motion. And I mean luck because none of the stuff is measured. 

Would you look at that, a new post!

After a stint of finals fever, I have finished my semester and I am on my one week of summer vacation. So now is the time to make things.

This is the chest piece for my Halfling character, Dwyn (we're just gonna use her name, it's so much easier).

As is, I started posts with her, and now I have time to continue posts about her process. So today, we start with the chest piece.

Now, as per my usual, I have no progress shots from actually starting the "sculpting" process. Opps... But I did take pictures of the.... Solidifying process...? I don't know... I'll figure out a name for that later. Anyway, on my earlier builds, I ran into issues where the tabs, for whatever reason, would not stay together. They'd separate at the seams, and not even in the easy to fix way sometimes. On top of that, I encountered what I like to call, "Paper-rot" for those that don't know, it's when the paper just starts to turn brittle and crumbly. 

There had to be a way around it.

Now, there may be an easier way to solve the problem, but I like my solution. If you look closely at the pictures above, you can see thin paper strips running between her breasts. This locks the sculpting in place and helps to smooth it out. This also means that the base is more accepting of paint and other mediums. Plus, like I said, it's nice and smooth.

It also means, that it's stronger. The sculpting alone makes it a little sturdier (I've smashed my hand on it to test this) and the paper strips help to reinforce it, especially in places where it wouldn't be too logical to have mass amounts of sculpting.

Plus as an added bonus, it sounds like plastic if you drop it.

So all that being said, I'm going to end this post here. I'm gonna try and max out posts this upcoming week before school starts back up. Next time, I'll cover the purpose of the toothpick and maybe some of my helpful tools... More than that I'm sure, but that's what comes to mind right now.

Now, as I said in the second post, which I corrected, sort of. I couldn't remember the name/location of the figure that I use primarily as a base. Now, I have the information and I wanted to share it.

The site where the figure came from is: http://tcfgaming.com/

I use the "Paper Protagonist" (specifically the female one: The models and textures are © 2011 Sean Kelly. I found the copyright info, yay!!!) as a base to sculpt on. It's really nice and balances quite well without adjustments... So long as you put it together right. I also upsized it for my own personal use.

I will be posting more of my paper figures updates, progress and all that jazz once I finish with my finals. They have become something of a reward for completion of homework.

For those that started following, thank you for subscribing! I appreciate your support!


In the meantime, if you want to check out some way more advanced and well engineered paper figures, and one of my inspirations for what I do. Follow the link:

http://jnorad.blogspot.com/?m=1
(You might have to go back a few years.....)

Check it out! More cellphotography! Amazing isn't it?

Anyway, picture aside, this is a different character, and so a different figure. This character is a half ogre (my design for her). 

So being a half ogre, she has to be about 6" or taller (I collect and work in about 6" or smaller). As well as that, she has to have more well defined muscles. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, her thighs:

I started them today, and that is her Rectus femoris muscle. Well, the start of it anyway. I still have to build it out, as you can see in the image below.

Geez, sorry this blog is taking so long to flesh out (hehehe... Flesh out). I hope you guys enjoy this stuff as I go. 

Since I did an initial welcome post, (which didn't explain anything about this blog) it's time to introduce some content.

Now, let's start with a new project, because I'm going to dedicate this blog to said projects.

This is a model I'm working on for one of my characters. This particular character is a Halfling, so she's proved a bit of a challenge. Specifically shrinking the proportions down so she doesn't look too tall.

 Please excuse the photography, cell phones are rather limited in their capabilities. Anyway, as you can see in the topmost picture, we have examples of the building stages. I start with a flat model with very basic shapes and I sculpt onto those. I am not using a base model of my own creation, I have to find the link to the original so credit can be given to creator of the base model. (Edit: AH-HA! I have the link. If you want the base, here's the link to the original creators page, I use the "Paper Protagonist".... Albeit a bit upsized for personal use): http://tcfgaming.com/

Now, for sculpting material, I use the finest quality restaurant napkins you can snag. Starbucks, or Dunkin donuts, depending on where I went that day. Cheap toilet paper works too, but I prefer napkins, they don't stick to my fingers as much. 

As for attaching, and building. I don't use tape, or anything really fancy. Just Elmer's glue. It does the job just fine. 

I think I'm going to call this the end of this particular post for now.... I need to set up and take some nicer pictures.