Greetings, it’s me again.
As I mentioned in the last post, due to some problems I could not attempt to use 6 different types of wood for the project. However, I still have my cuts by 2 different types of woods, so at first, I managed to assemble all the pieces together using the different shades between the 2 different material, and it turned out like this:
Although the layers looked perfect together, they still missed something. It needs some magic, oops I mean, colors to be more lively. My plan was to use different wood materials for different shades of colors, but since it was failed, I manage to came up with the choice of using wood dye colors.
For assembling, I used this 502 glue, which is meant to stick metal, but it worked well with wood (and dry pretty fast, smell like metal). The only thing you have to notice when using this glue is that you have to be really careful not to let it stick on your hand, or else you would get some burnt. (Yes, fingers burnt from a normal heat glue, bad experience, so I would recommend wearing gloves).
And here is my final product. The wood dye color only has 2 colors so I cannot mix the color I want, and I decide to use the acrylic color as well. My palette is full of browns, from lightest to darkest: cream, almond, taupe, tortilla, beaver (this use the wood dye color), and cocoa brown. I like the brown mix because firstly, it will not lose the natural beauty of wood color or ruin the wood vibe, and secondly, it fits with the character as well (reminds me of dark academia theme).
After coloring, to reserve the wood piece, I use this spray. There are 2 different types: flat and matt. If you want your piece to be polished, shining, you should use matt spray.
The piece is 30×40 cm, with 6 layers. It’s bigger than my plan.
Finally, a nice new key hanger.
What should I do to make this piece more outstanding? Should I make a whole family tree potraits of this Beast or something?
Thank you for reading my post. Have a good day then.
I am struck by the impact your color patate makes when used with this nature scene. I am sorry if you have already said this somehtre, but what made you choose this dinosaur skeleton as your final focus to this layers project? My opinion of this piece all completed if you are ok with my saying, is this this is AMAZING and I LOVE it!
My pleasure! My idea was a forestry guardian, so I want to find a creature that has ancient look and looks good with the tree branches (for blending in the forest, a guardian should not be visible). And another reason is that I have a great love for fossils too, especially dino skeletons.
Hi! I appreciate the final picture with the keys on the piece. I also noticed with how The Beast is slightly out of the frame it looks like it could be coming to life from the picture frame. How did you decide how many layers the dinosaur would be? I have an opinion on the family portraits of The Beast. I think it would be really cool to have a series of these.
I’m glad that you like the details, it’s part of my plan for this piece. My decision on layers was based on the sketch, but there were less layers than it is now, I mainly do the layers based on the shapes and color to create a good effect on the final piece, and I think 3-3 is a good combination (3 for background and 3 for the main character).
Hi! I notice how the thickness of the pieces you used allows for cast shadows of the skeleton onto the layers beneath it and in my opinion that makes it feel even more real and adds to the ‘spooky’ feeling I get looking at your piece. My question is where did the name “the beast” come from?
Hi Grace, I really appreciate your opinion, it’s like you just read my mind. Yes between the layers I do assemble some pieces between the layers so that there will be a cast shadows effect for the front layers. The name came from the appearance of the character: since it is a mix of a dinosaur type with tree branches horn, I cannot call it “tree dinosaur” or anything like that. My character came out of my thoughts about a forestry guardian, so although it always hides and blends into the forests, the villagers or adventurers may sometimes saw it, but they can’t call it “monster” since it never damage or hurt anyone, and their impression was its appearance, so “the beast” would be a good choice.
Hi Leona! I appreciate the different colours you created for each wooden layer; I especially love the wooden texture of the oval behind the skeletons head and also how this piece can be put to use as a key hanger! Very nice job!!!
Thanks, Imogen! I know it would be a great key hanger. The colors I mixed were based on the natural wood colors so it doesn’t get off the wooden vibe, which is one of the elements that made the piece has a “dark vintage vibe”.
Hiya Leona! I find it unique and creative how you used different shades of the wood in your piece. I totally think you should make a family of these, that would be so interesting. If you did that, What would the others names be? Well done on this!
Halo Marcella! I’m happy that you like the piece. I’m thinking about the other members for the family tree, we have “The Beast” already, should it be something opposite like “The Bride” next?
Hi Leona! I think your piece came out great! I appreciate the color scheme that you went with. Are you thinking of making the piece a full time key hook? Maybe you could try adding metal or wooden hooks at the bottom?
Hello Lauren! It is a great suggestion and I’m asking my dad to help me with the metal hook. I tried the wooden hook but it was not so sustainable. Many thanks!
I appreciate how the natural color scheme blends well with the wood colors in the background. If you were to do a series of these what kinds of things would change between them? Would you keep the frame the same and change the skeleton or change everything? In my opinion keeping the frames the same between them would add some cool uniformity to the series.
I’m glad that you like my palette, I put quite a lot of effort into the colors which made the piece. About the series idea, I’m thinking of changing a little bit of the appearance that would make the other characters different, but not totally different. For example, “The Beast” has water drop eye holes, but his brother ” The Grump” will have sharper eye holes and a longer head shape. And those characteristic features will change slightly like that till the furthest relative, it will look 80% different. The idea of keeping the frame as a uniformity is a good one, I’ll keep that in mind.
Hi! I am struck as your choice of colors for this- they are seem to come together very nicely creating a dramatic feel. To answer your question, I think you most definitely should make a whole family of these and hang them up side by side.
Bonjour, thanks for your comments! My mother would not like to see me hanging a bunch of skeletons in my room but it will be a great idea to do so. Glad that you enjoy the piece!
I notice that your dinosaur appears to have antlers, which isn’t typical of dinosaurs. I am curious if they are intended to be antlers, or if they are supposed to be branches of a tree? In my opinion, I think you made the right choice by making each layer a different color. It adds a lot of depth and character to the piece. Outstanding Job!
I love how you titled your piece and worked the title into the piece itself, it gives me some world-building vibes like there’s some old legend about the creature hanging up on the wall with the plaque.