Very Cool. I really like these guys. Do you have to get in a different headspace to create something of this size rather than a regular size hand puppet?
'Different headspace' I like it. Never thought of it that way, but yes. I'm a process thinker, for lack of a better term. For something large I usually start with the overall height needed. Then decide either based on the concept drawing or other reference materials the ratio of sizes, such as what percentage of the height is head, neck, body, legs etc. then I start building the head first. I rework the sizes based on what looks best at every stage, trying not to attach anything permanently until everything 'in theory' seems to fit together. Size also presents challenges with weight and durability. I used high density 1" polyfoam on the body, but also had to reinforce the shoulder neck area with a tubing ring, think small hula hoop. I think a better choice might have been L200 foam, but I didn't think of it until I already covered the body.
Some aspects I worked out quickly such as the body shape, but for some reason it took me several hours and attempts to make a pattern for the legs. Had a brain block. LOL Finally I got the angles correct and adding darts to the fabric made the legs more rounded. The legs are fabric stuffed with polyfill and the feet are sculpted polyfoam.
Learned a lot. I can only imagine what it's like to work on mascot costume characters all the time.
Julie
