Welcome to Gaia! ::

Hi!

I'm not a member... but...

I have something that needs a bit of help. As I stated in my Subject I'm a plush artist and I plan to have a table at Fanime's artist colony. I dabble in realism as well as not so realism.

I have been bouncing around the idea of making mythical creatures using my elongated mini plushie pattern, as modeled by Howl (I drafted the pattern and made him for a Christmas exchange... the person I sent to requested Howl from Howl's Moving Castle and it had to be Christmas themed so I gave him a Pere Noel jacket and hat)



It's hard to see his body but it's long and skinny, as is his limbs. I gave him a wire armature so he's bendable.

I think I'll keep the body from the hips up, but slightly enlarge the head.

Here's a working design sketch of my faun (the hips up are what Howl looks like without the coat):


Here's my question... Would it be better to use the skinny legs on the left or the more chunky legs on the right? Which looks better keeping in mind the style's proportions? Or would it be better just to scrap the whole idea?

Some measurements... the original pattern is 10 inches long. The mini doll Howl is holding is 3 inches. The faun's arms will actually be a little but longer than they are shown to be... I'm just bad at drawing in paint.

I have a thing for fauns with big thighs. My first art doll, a faun named Baldwin, has thunder thighs.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/leloi/Plushies/Baldwin2.jpg

I also don't even know if my simplistic rag doll pattern is something people would be interested in. I think the proportions are part of their appeal... or not if they are too "ugly." Does the style even work?

I'm open to feedback.

Edit: His legs will be held on with a button joint at the hips to allow leg movement...
A pink bunny with button joints:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/leloi/Plushies/ku3.jpg

Update: 2/24

WIP pics...

Skinny Legs:


Thicker legs:


Chunky!:


Edit: And I finish one! He'll get better pictures tomorrow. Until then he has taken over my laptop... what a drama queen.



Edit: Finished pics... scroll down to see my later post.

Ooo... Spork... that gives me another idea... SUPER CHUNKY!



It would have the same basic size and shape as a regular baby doll, except with goat legs. xd

Thanks!

I suppose I could also sit down and make all three and take pictures (I have the fabric to make them). Perhaps I can use both the skinny pattern and the large pattern.

It might have to wait for a little while so I can finish two exchange plushies first (Prier the Tactic UFOcatcher and Tommy Heavenly art doll). But I'll update this thread when I make the faun samples.

Edit: Samples in first post... or down here:

The small version is missing: Hair, horns, ears, hooves and beard
The chunky version is missing: Hair, horns, hooves and beard

Skinny Legs:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/leloi/Plushies/WIP/faunproto3.jpg
Thicker legs:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/leloi/Plushies/WIP/faunproto2.jpg
Chunky:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/leloi/Plushies/WIP/faunproto1.jpg

Thanks... I think he's cute too... too bad he takes a bit more effort.

I don't even know if people will want them. You can be honest. I know people commission me but they also commission less experienced plushie makers for just as much so I can't tell what sort of "professional look" quality I have if any. Does it look like it would be high enough quality to come from a factory? (I guess that's what I'm asking)

Chunky Faun (Frank... named after Frank Bielec from Trading Spaces)
Size: 18 inches
Materials: Velour, Microfiber, Faux Fur, Felt and Buttons
Joints: Plastic Disc Lock

Skinny Faun (Cal... In honor of the original pattern being made for Howl and named for the fire demon, Calcifer)
Size: 18 inches
Materials: Velour, Faux Fur, Felt, Buttons and Wire
Joints: Button

Here's my finished pics:











The smaller one is easier and cheaper to make. The large one requires lock joints and lots of stuffing.