Marwell Zoo Zany Zebra campaign 2016 update 05

Marwell Zoo Zany Zebra campaign 2016 update 05

The miniature version of the 'Seafaring Zebra'

 On Saturday I worked on this small version of my 1st sculpture, that had been finished as far as painting went a few days previously. The original one was a full size 1:1 model that was painted. This one is about 220mm long and 150mm high and appears to be made of clay. It was painted in the same paint as used on the full size one and now awaits to be varnished as does its full sized friend.

The model will be sold at auction as per the the full size one to raise funds for the protection of Zebras. The initiative is run by Marwell Zoo and is called 'Zany Zebras' and will see 47 full size sculptures on the streets of Southampton during the summer making up a free 'trail' through the city.

Marwell Zoo Zany Zebra campaign 2016 update 04

Marwell Zoo Zany Zebra campaign 2016 update 04

The Seafaring Zany Zebra with painting complete

On Saturday I completed the painting of the 'Seafaring Zebra', my contribution to the 'Zany Zebra' campaign, run by Marwell Zoo, Hampshire. The photos show some of the details not shown previously, including the plimsoll line, as featured on ships around the world used to indicate water density. Also the finishing touch., after completing all the ships was to paint small zebras standing on the decks of some of them. The intention was to paint them in a light colour which would not draw away from the black and white stripes. The remaining job to do on it now is to apply a coat of varnish.

The ears with the plimsoll ship markings

One of the small blue Zebras

Marwell Zoo Zany Zebra campaign 2016 update 03

Marwell Zoo Zany Zebra campaign 2016 update 03

The other side of the Zebra

This update shows work continuing on the  'Seafaring Zebra', my contribution to the Zany Zebra campaign/ trail to be in the streets of Southampton during the Summer and early autumn. During Wednesday and Thursday work was placing more ships of different designs on to the zebra and gradually the gaps are now getting filled as per the original plan. The smallest new addition is a fishing boat on the cheek, placed on both sides. Although the design looks the same on both sides there are minor differences. Some ship shapes which cross over from one side to another on the Zebra, may have a bow at one end on one side and end with the stern on the other, so as to represent a whole ship, which in turn creates a difference on each side. Some boat/ ship shapes may start as a bow on one side but end with a bow on the other. A similar pattern happens with shapes that begin with a stern. Also the zebra sculpture itself is not a mirror image each side. The legs are in a different position each side which then dictates what the body does, in this case the torso is compressed on one side and stretched on the other, again affecting the design subtly.

Further pictures of the Zany Zebra under construction

Marwell Zoo Zany Zebra campaign 2016 update 02

Marwell Zoo Zany Zebra campaign 2016 update 02

Seafaring zebra progress on Tuesday

This update on the 'Seafaring Zebra' covers the Monday and Tuesday on the project of painting a full size Zebra for the Marwell Zoo 'Zany Zebra' trail of street art. This Zebra's design and painting is being sponsored by Associated British Ports, in the city of Southampton. As can be seen in the pictures more ships have been added/ painted to the full size plaster cast since the last update. The ships are painted at various positions across the body rather than work left to right. The reason being it is better to space a few key ones around the body to act as guides, as I am working to my own plan, and am trying to keep as close as possible to it. By establishing key positions I am then able to drop the 'in between' ships, as per plan, easily. 

Front view by end of Tuesday

The ships themselves, and also the small floating vessels, are not based on actual ships but just taking popular design elements from different eras of shipping, for instance Edwardian and mid 20th century passenger ones and modern container ships. There is one ship that bears some resemblance to the Titanic. The smallest vessel are some sailing boats. A few other designs will appear over the course of production. 

Marwell Zoo Zany Zebra campaign 2016 update 01

Marwell Zoo Zany Zebra campaign 2016 update 01

My blank Zebra sculpture

I have so far spent two days on the project, a Friday and a Saturday. Friday was spent applying two coats of white emulsion paint to the Zebra and then later in the day making a start on the sections of the design in the nose/ head area. A week before I had created a plan with the design broken up in to sections as shown.

This allowed me to home in on sections of the actual sculpture and from there I could make a good judgement on where the ships and other elements should be placed. I made a few rough pencil marks and used a long tape measure to help find the spot on the Zebra. Then I sketched the part I was to work on lightly and roughly. The next stage was to draw the 'ship' shape or whatever using masking tape with the intention of then painting the masked shape in black.
I also painted the hooves and tail hair black. 
On the Saturday I refined what had been painted and added further details. Sometimes the masking does not work because the surface of the Zebra casting is rough so one has to go in and paint the error carefully by hand.

Saturday morning

Saturday evening