Curious devices, forbidden artifacts, mysterious creatures, and intriguing documents.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Hunting Trophies
Christy B brings us a tutorial on how to create a collection of vampire hunting trophies. It would make a nice starter project for anyone looking for a simple introduction to polymer clay.
I just finished reading "Ammo Dracula" and "Bloody Red Baron" - fun books (kinda reminded me of "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" in many ways), and I cant help but think that 'Jack the Ripper' from that book might have had something like this tucked up in a hidden spot.
I like the idea of vampire teeth as trophies, but I can´t resist to play devil´s advocate once again. The problem with this teeth is, that they don´t really look like teeth at all. They have a slight similarity to some rootless reptile (excluding thecodonts of course) or fish teeth, but nothing in common with the shape one would expect for a vampire fang, no matter if it´s now a canine or incisor (as it is in the case of vampire bats). They are totally lacking roots, and usually especially canines have very long roots. In general around half of a full teeth´s length is only root, but quite often and especially in canines it´s even more. I suppose the reason why in this case the shape is quite bizarre, is that one of those attachable vampire teeth was used as model, and of course there´s nothing like a root on such a half tooth.I am just under the impression that such kinds of props look better if they are biologically and anatomically more accurately. Of course vampires could be something totally different from bats or humans or mammals at all and really have such teeth...
As someone who works with skulls and bones for funsies, yes, I get bothered by most prop teeth and skulls. It's a really cool display, though! I love the box!
I must agree wholly with Markus. They seem like a nice little set of sculpts, albeit not what many would expect. Blade 2, perhaps?
I myself lean towards the Stoker vampire, and to a lesser extent the Rice one- and as such I'd imagine the teeth would probably just revert into ordinary human teeth when the "curse is lifted". If they don't turn to ash or something, that is. Do you guys think something like coyote teeth could pass as vampire, or are canine canines too different?
@Stefan, I think the root of a coyote canine may appear too "curved" inwards whereas human canine's roots are straighter and the ratio of tooth to root might be different too.
@Stefan, I think the root would appear too curved and possible the ratio of tooth to root might be wrong. Using an acrylic human canine replica (not too hard to get) and then building on it with magic sculpt over it to lengthen the canine might work.
@RK EM, Yeah, you're probably right. Maybe the root could be grinded down to shape? Good thinking working from existing replica. Otherwise I'm thinking teeth could possibly be sculpted entirely from ivory, leaving a coarse texture and stain on the root, polishing the tooth part to near-enamel shine.
I just finished reading "Ammo Dracula" and "Bloody Red Baron" - fun books (kinda reminded me of "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" in many ways), and I cant help but think that 'Jack the Ripper' from that book might have had something like this tucked up in a hidden spot.
ReplyDeleteNeat Idea! I love it
I like the idea of vampire teeth as trophies, but I can´t resist to play devil´s advocate once again. The problem with this teeth is, that they don´t really look like teeth at all. They have a slight similarity to some rootless reptile (excluding thecodonts of course) or fish teeth, but nothing in common with the shape one would expect for a vampire fang, no matter if it´s now a canine or incisor (as it is in the case of vampire bats). They are totally lacking roots, and usually especially canines have very long roots. In general around half of a full teeth´s length is only root, but quite often and especially in canines it´s even more.
ReplyDeleteI suppose the reason why in this case the shape is quite bizarre, is that one of those attachable vampire teeth was used as model, and of course there´s nothing like a root on such a half tooth.I am just under the impression that such kinds of props look better if they are biologically and anatomically more accurately.
Of course vampires could be something totally different from bats or humans or mammals at all and really have such teeth...
As someone who works with skulls and bones for funsies, yes, I get bothered by most prop teeth and skulls. It's a really cool display, though! I love the box!
ReplyDeleteI must agree wholly with Markus. They seem like a nice little set of sculpts, albeit not what many would expect. Blade 2, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteI myself lean towards the Stoker vampire, and to a lesser extent the Rice one- and as such I'd imagine the teeth would probably just revert into ordinary human teeth when the "curse is lifted". If they don't turn to ash or something, that is.
Do you guys think something like coyote teeth could pass as vampire, or are canine canines too different?
@Stefan, I think the root of a coyote canine may appear too "curved" inwards whereas human canine's roots are straighter and the ratio of tooth to root might be different too.
ReplyDelete@Stefan, I think the root would appear too curved and possible the ratio of tooth to root might be wrong. Using an acrylic human canine replica (not too hard to get) and then building on it with magic sculpt over it to lengthen the canine might work.
ReplyDelete@RK EM, Yeah, you're probably right. Maybe the root could be grinded down to shape? Good thinking working from existing replica.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise I'm thinking teeth could possibly be sculpted entirely from ivory, leaving a coarse texture and stain on the root, polishing the tooth part to near-enamel shine.