Little MAIZE MAZE MARVIN
So many venues and festivals are now planting Maize Mazes ...they seem to be the next big thing in visitor attractions in the Summer and Autumn.
With Mazes being so popular, I thought my show could do with this little chap, who has managed to get himself well and truly lost.
As always a sketch is just a starting point : not a blueprint.
Having just made a big batch of paper Pulp, there was no way Marvin would be carved in wood.
Aluminium foil bulks out a core shape quickly and effectively.
Electrical tape prevents the thin layer of Pulp sticking to the core.
The foil could be left inside as it does not add much weight.
As I am not in a rush to complete this puppet, I opted to take the extra step of opening the head and removing the foil.
Anything that keeps the weight down -even slightly- is worth doing.
Ears and the brim of the baseball cap were modelled separately, then fixed in place using more Pulp as adhesive .
Section removed to create an open mouth.
I realised he was a looking too symmetrical.
So I decided to offset his cap.
Making changes to the look is easy with pulp : it both cuts and joins well.
Much happier with this more jaunty look.
Base for the corn on the cob added into the mix too.
Now the sculpting fun really starts.
It was worth making the change and making hime more asymmetrical. His character is much more cute this way. Im very pleased so far.
Another corn cob is in his right hand.
For his left hand I am using a recycled sandwich holding hand from an old Heights of Abraham Staff puppet.
This hand worked much better on this puppet than on the donor one.
Not much goes to waste in my puppet workshop.
A good solid underbody, with all the usual hanging-up paraphernalia.
It's always a special moment when all the separate parts are finally joined together. This is the moment is first becomes a Puppet !
Arms then get strengthened with PVA and fabric.
Jointed padding sections give him a nice tubby body shape.
LOTS MORE PICTURES AND INFO WILL BE ADDED TO THIS PAGE IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE
CHECK BACK AGAIN SOON Cheers Richard.
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