While I was working into the early hours of the morning last night on the sculpture head of my dad, I noticed it was taking on an uncanny and unwanted resemblance to Christopher Walken... *scrape* *scrape*, then it was back on the right track. One trick I've found that's kind of neat when sculpting is to squint your eyes (intentionally fuzz out detail) to get the bigger shape elements right. Then for middle of the road detail and fine details, keep your eyes open as long as possible while looking at it and your mind will fill in detail which is not even there! It's really scary when you see what you are doing looking back at you. Its the same for me with portrait mosaics, I start with the nose, eyes and eventually, it is a face that seems to be peeking through a white sheet of lime plaster with a mind of its own.
If you have some time to kill, related to all this sculpture stuff this is a fun trick you all can try at the museum, park or somewhere like that where realistic sculpture is present. Stare at a statue face (preferably marble or light colored stone) and eventually it will seem to move or shift its eyes. I'm talking about the kind of unblinking stare that causes your eyes to water, you know like you are in a staring contest with a cat. Then hold it for 30 seconds more... I've even seen lips move on my Thalia Muse bust, but was unsure of what it was saying to me exactly. I think low lighting works best.
By the way, this is not my statue, in case there was any confusion.
Italiana:
Se stare in un volto di statua, per un periodo sufficiente, sembra di essere vivo.
