Light Box

Here's a quick post...

In the previous post I mention the Light Box I used to shoot pictures of my latest sculpture.
It was really easy to make, only required a bit of planning and materials.

White Corregated plastic for the walls, picked up at the local hardware store.

Rice paper for the side windows. (I used what I had on hand which was chinese calligraphy paper, which I will most definitely blog about later on....;) Just taped over square opening cut in the side walls.

The lights were inexpensive construction style lights also picked up at hardware stores. Shouldn't cost you more than about 15 bucks each.(Can$) Try princess auto, they have sales periodically...
Just taped together with clear packaging tape. (use clear, as opaque will show as dark spots on the inside of the box.)

IMPORTANT. the lights are EXTREMELY HOT I turn them off if I leave the room, and keep them AWAY from the PLASTIC and RICE PAPER. DUH! If you make a light box don't burn your house down ok?

Why is it so big? So I can photograph lots of different things in it. As it's just shy of 2 x 2 feet square, it makes my sculpture look tiny! Trust me, the sculpture isn't tiny, the dimensions are shown in my last post.

Cheers!
Peace and Balance

~ the art ninja ~

Jenna, the Resin Cast.

I've finally gotten a chance to build a light box for shooting photos of my Sculpture ~ Jenna ~

Here's the Final Sculpture.

This sculpture has been cast with a black tint added to the resin before it's mixed, this causes it to turn out grey when the resin kicks.

(kicks = the chemical reaction starts causing the molecules to change from liquid to solid. It also turns white, and it happens very fast, hence the term "kick")

I think I prefer casting the figure in white. I wanted to try the grey too see how it turned out.



In the two side profile shots you can see the seam line on the figure. It's actually fairly thin, with a small amount of flash showing. (flash = thin amounts of a casting's material that has seeped into the parting seam between the two mold halves. )

Cleanup recommendations:
A good small file for filing down any abnormalities in the seam line.
Some 400 or 800 grit sandpaper. (sanding wet works wonders too)
I like to use a dremel to clean up the base but you don't necessairly need one, some elbow grease and an exacto knife will work. Make sure you cut AWAY from yourself, your hands, your fingers. You WILL jab yourself WHEN you slip. That's not an IF it's a WHEN. (Take my advice on this one... I've jabbed myself too many times to not insist you follow my advice!)

Dimensions:
The figure measures approximately 5.3cm x 9cm x 5.5cm OR 3.75" x 2.5" x 2.25"

Painting:
For wonderful instruction on painting figures and various painting techniques, go to any Games Workshop store in person. They always have people willing to help you get started and you can also pick up supplies there. (a bit more expensive then some other places but it's all in one place)
Also try a google search for miniature painting. You'll find a tonne of advice. I plan on putting up a painted copy of the figure in the future so you can see one solution to the painting question...


do something creative!
~the art ninja~