Osprey sculpture

A life-sized paper and mixed media sculpture of an Osprey catching a rainbow trout.

This sculpture was challenging on many levels. Because of its size and open wingspan, the armature needed to be extremely solid. The wings also needed to be removable for ease of transport. I used metal rods bent to the shape of the fish and Osprey legs, this was then sculpted over.

The wings armature were made from metal that slotted into the main body frame so that it is solid. Spray foam was then added over the whole sculpture which I then carved.

The feathers rigidness was another problem. They needed to be thin enough to look like feathers but also be strong enough to hold its shape. I ended up glueing two layers of paper over armature wire which acted as the feather core. This was then frayed, textured, and painted. The feathers on the body were all cut from paper, and glued layered over each other.

The water splash was sculpted in clay, which was then moulded and cast in epoxy resin. Resin was also used to create water ripples and splashes on the fish.