Devil's Flower Mantis X4by *BlackHoleInAJar

Traditional Art / Sculpture / Models

Here are some close-ups of my 'Idolomantis Diabolica' piece. I didn't say this before; this also won 1st place and Best in Show in the 10th-12th grade division of the SHARE Homeschool art fair of 2009.

I made the eyes separate from the head to give them the inset look. They're made out of two colors of colored clay marbled together, 'cause painting that would have been a nightmare. If you can see them on the photo, there are three little "eyes" in the center of the head, just behind the antennas. I made those out of the tips of burnt-out Christmas tree lights(the little ones) that I clipped off. They got the perfect effect.

All the real thin parts: the chest plate, the arms, the wings and the leafy things on the legs and abdomen, are made with "Sculpy: Super Lite." It's half the weight of normal 'Sculpy.' It felt kinda like "Craola's: Model Magic," only stickier.

The antennas and the feet are made of a special kind of 'Sculpy' that stays very flexible after you bake it. It was hard. I had to work on a ice block to keep it cool; when it gets too warm, it's almost like working with rubber cement. Or toothpaste, or fresh bubble gum- something like that. REALLY sticky.

The legs are made of aluminum rods. Had to use a blowtorch to bend'em. You bend it once, okay, you try and bend it back, it breaks.

All painted with acrylic paints.

The photos I have do not do the granite justice. It's made of many different shades of green...not sure what mineral, with white quartz and it has small blood red crystals scattered throughout. Matches the mantis perfectly.