Setting the stage

Each day on the Fox & Hounds project is exciting. In the early stage we are doing a lot of firsts that will determine what the rest of the project will look like. The first pieces set the stye for everything to follow. The key is to use a style that tells the story and is able to be reproduced in a variety of mediums which we will use throughout the project. Today we did two of the many 'wooden' barrels that will frame features, dartboards, bulletin boards and other things through the pub. 

The second brick wall was also mudded and carved today, changing the entry in a big way. It was an exciting day!

-grampa dan

Faster than a speeding tortoise

 As a reward for a bunch of other work that was not quite as enjoyable I did some preliminary sculpting on the Laughing Tortoise Beer sign for the Fox & Hounds Pub. Rather than advertise real beer brands we are creating some fun signs for the establishment that simply are fun!

 I did a little research on the net and found some great reference material... then I set to sculpting. I roughed in the head first for I knew I wouldn't be able to do it in one go. Sometimes it works better to build up a foundation shape and then go back to add a detailed layer later. This was one of those instances. Then I roughed in the shell and lastly I switched to the feet. It went pretty quick. 

He will be realistic but with a great deal of character added to make it a little more fun. The scales of his legs are just balls of Abracadabra Sculpting epoxy pressed on. Lastly I smoothed out the shell, then added his eyes. 

 The whole head and neck will get another layer of sculpt tomorrow, with lots of character, wrinkles and laugh lines too. The side view shows just how dimensional this sign really is.

This is so much more fun than actually working!

-dan

WORKSHOPS!

This summer/fall there will be FOUR Sign Magic Workshops. It will keep me very busy and will also allow many more to learn exactly how we do all the things we do. For the first time we will be taking the workshops on the road. While much of the same knowledge we share in our mobile workshop will be taught, the magic of our shop/studio and environs will only be able to be experienced in pictures. The workshop to be held here in our studio is to be held on September 30, October 2, 2011. Included in that workshop will be a tour of the MultiCam facility and the Fox & Hounds Pub along with some other local projects. We will also do welding, cement sculpture and a few other things, not always practical or possible on the road.

We have received so many requests to travel to various locations because not everyone is able or willing to take the time to travel to us. It is understandable. The Sign Magic Workshops will include as much information and hands-on lessons as is practical for each location.

The locations and dates are as follows...

Sign Magic Workshop - Toronto, Ontario, Canada

August 18 - 20, 2011

MultiCam Canada Technology Center

15-701 Millway Avenue, Concord, Ontario

(905) 738-7954

daniel@multicam.ca

Sign Magic Workshop - Kiev, Ukraine

September 5-7, 2011

Kiev, Ukraine

tel    +380 (44) 453-65-20 #704

cell  +380 (67) 467-47-79

editor@signweb.com.ua

Sign Magic Workshop - Yarrow, British Columbia

September 30 - October 2, 2001

Yarrow (Chilliwack), British Columbia, Canada

(604) 823-2216

dan@imaginationcorporation.com

www.imaginationcorporation.com/sign-workshops

Sign Magic Workshop - Orlando, Florida, USA

November 3-5, 2011

MultiCam Florida Technology Center

Orlando, Florida, USA

Amy Johnson  (972) 929-4070  EXT 2013

amy@multicam.com

We hope to see you at a workshop soon!

-dan