| Staab Studios-Making
the 'SuperCroc'
(the
inside scoop)
|
 |
1.
Before the sculpture process could begin, much time was spent
gathering photographic reference and scientific papers on extant and
extinct crocodilian anatomy. To help aid in the understanding of
how the musculature system works with the skeletal system, Gary
dissected several modern crocodilians. |
| 2.
In most cases, when producing a sculpture of such size, a smaller
scale model, or maquette, is made. Because we have crocodilians
living with us today, Gary was able to use the body form of a
spectacled caiman as a guide, scaling each proportion to match the
fossil bone measurements provided by Dr. Paul Sereno. Next, plywood
templates of the side and cross sectional views were cut from plywood,
wired together and attached to a base. The entire structure was
then covered with wire mesh and the skull (a cast from the actual
fossil) was attached. |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
3.
At this point the actual sculpting could begin. First, clay was
applied to rough out the initial shape. At this point, Dr. Paul
Sereno was brought in to make comments and suggestions. After
his approval, the team kicked in and after eight weeks and two and one half tons of clay,
the final shape and texturing for Sarcosuchus emerged.
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
| 4.
This is where the project started to seem a whole lot like
work. Metal shim was pushed into the clay to delineate the
separation lines for the mold pieces. Then, eighty gallons of
rubber was sprayed on to the sculpture. After the rubber set it
was given a supportive backing made from polyester resin and
fiberglass. Both the flexible rubber mold and the rigid mother
mold were then removed and cleaned. The mold has twenty seven
pieces. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
5.
Because of the large amount of casting that had to be done, the
services of EJ Fiberglass Co. were enlisted. They sprayed a
mixture of polyester resin and fiberglass into the molds to recreate
the positive image of the sculpture. Each piece was cast, pulled
from the mold, wired together then joined from the inside with
fiberglass. The joining seams were then filled and tooled so
that they are almost invisible. |
| 6.
Once all of the seams were finished, the base color was sprayed
on. The rest was painted by hand in artist's oils. |
 |
 |
Fun Facts:
2500 hours of labor
16 weeks
5000 pounds of clay
80 gallons of rubber
420 gallons of polyester resin
40,000 Staples
2 miles of wire
2 boxes of bandaids
Numerous stitches
|
  The
finished Sarcosuchus and its twin. One reconstruction was sent to Sydney
Australia and one to Mexico City. |
 |
[Prehistoric Life Models][Scientific Sculpture][Illustration][Bronze]
[About Us][Contact][Internet Links][Making
the 'SuperCroc']
Staab Studios © 1998,1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
|
