School has reopened for fall, and today, two of three children have returned to it so I can get back to work in the newly dubbed TwoDog Studio. This not-being-paid situation is imperfect, but making my own creative decisions will never get old. I can be as weird and unmarketable as I like. Hence, I have the Protoas in work.
It’s been a much slower process than anticipated. It took ages to build up enough layers of papier maché to make the form solid, and the raised surface is not at all smooth. I’ve decided the rough contours add interesting, albeit unexpected nuance. In another intriguing accident, the cardboard base has created a bubbly texture beneath the gesso. It may be related to my having used fewer papier maché layers since the cardboard seemed to offer enough structure of its own. Once this Protoa is finished, I may thicken the base of the next one after I’ve seen how this one resolves.
I added the second layer of gesso today. It may need some spot touches before painting, but I’ll assess later this week. It’s exciting that it’s nearly ready to paint!