Becoming a Man.

This is the basic rudimentary beginning of getting the seated figures  proportions figured out. Since he is in a sitting position, it has taken some special calculations to get  him right. I had to begin with the reality that the seat of the throne is 8 inches off the floor. Therefore  the whole figure is based on and extrapolated from an 8 inch leg length from the knee to floor.

Also, I had to make the seat on which he is sitting while I form him, exactly the 8 inch height of the throne seat itself.

Here you can see the development of the shoulders and the arms. I began by forming him from solid clay from the waist down including the legs. Next, working from the waist to the shoulders I made from slabs of clay, so this section is hollow. The reason is that since he's leaning forward, the upper part would become to heavy to hold it's position. Even with this part being hollow, it was the arms that helped stabilize his upper body as the clay was to wet to stay in the correct position. Not surprising then that he needs well developed muscles in his shoulders and arms to hold himself together!

You will also notice, that I had to brace up the legs just behind the knees so they would not collapse beneath the weight of his upper body and arms. The lower leg is to thin and the clay to wet for it to support the whole upper structure. 

It is also mandatory for a real man to have distinct abs is it not? I think it is. Any man who sit's on that intimidating, confrontational and imposing "throne of swords" must be "manly" and at the height of his physical power, which includes chiseled abs!

It just feels so good molding clay again. Creating a figure, forming the contours of the body the wet clay responding to the fingers brings such joy and satisfaction...It may be snowing in May but I'm feeling good in my studio!

"God brought them out of Egypt, they have the strength of a wild ox."    Numbers 23:22