From: "Kismet" <kismet-AT-bigpond.net.au>
To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 08:05:29 +1000
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Punch building


The paint will chip....thats life...particularly on a budget although I 
often wonder if Murphy's cousin's law applies...the more money you spend the 
poorer the result.
Of course you know Murphy's mothers law....Murphy was an optimist.
I would fill the cavity with spray cavity filler foam....from the hardware 
shop for filling gaps in walls, floors etc...then carefully carve out an 
opening for a finger or two....One finger will suffice BUT you cant then 
turn the head independantly of the body and you end up with a fat lopsided 
belly where as two fingers in the head and two fingers in one arm is the 
more traditional way.

Cheers

D.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <jmwyrd-AT-aol.com>
To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 2:59 AM
Subject: [Puptcrit] Punch building


> Hello all,
>
> I've lurked for a while here, coming out of hiding now and again when I 
> really feel I can contribute something. Anyway, I'm looking into building 
> a Punch and Judy show. I have made a prototype Punch and have some good 
> ideas for how to build the body and hands, but I'm having trouble with the 
> head. The prototype I built was modeled in oil-based clay and then I used 
> plaster strips (like the stuff they used to make casts for broken bones 
> out of) over the clay to make the form. Then just plucked out the clay 
> (well, most of it. I made the nose too deep and some is still in there 
> with no way for me to get it out, but that's no big deal). Well, the face 
> looks great, I used acrylic paint on the dried plaster with a clear coat 
> over it all, and it was looking good. A little rough, but that doesn't 
> bother me. Anyway, I then let my 2 year old son play with Mr. Punch for 
> the last few months to see how he'd hold up.
>
> The result: The body is fine, the hands are in good shape (they're rather 
> simple and carved out of oak), but the paint is chipping off of the head. 
> Mostly off of the tip of the nose, but otherwise it's held up really well.
> So my question really is this. Aside from carving out of wood (which I'm 
> not too great at) is there a good, strong way to make the heads that will 
> take the beating of a regular Punch show, and not have the paint chip? Is 
> there a better clear-coat to use? A better material?
>
> The only other problem I have is that because the head was just over clay, 
> it's totally hollow. Is there a better way to put something inside the 
> head for better control? As it is, I use the two fingers inside the head 
> and two for the arm (thumb for the other arm) method, and inside the head 
> I can wiggle my fingers around quite a bit, and the head tends to pivot if 
> I turn him to quickly. I think this is partly because the head is loose on 
> my fingers, and because the nose is weighted with clay. Anyway, any advice 
> would be greatly appreciated. And I think it may go without saying, but 
> I'll say it anyway... Cost IS an issue, as I am just starting out.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Jeff
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> Check out the new AOL.  Most comprehensive set of free safety and security 
> tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, 
> free AOL Mail and more.
> _______________________________________________
> List address: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
> Admin interface: 
> http://lists.driftline.org/listinfo.cgi/puptcrit-driftline.org
> Archives: http://www.driftline.org
>
>
> -- 
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.4/702 - Release Date: 25/02/2007 
> 3:16 PM
> 

_______________________________________________
List address: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Admin interface: http://lists.driftline.org/listinfo.cgi/puptcrit-driftline.org
Archives: http://www.driftline.org