Randall's Urban Architectural Sculptures

I’m considering this model finished, though I know as I look it over during the drying process I will touch up on it further.
This will dry to around 22″ square.
The original used to re-create this from photos dates to 1888 and was located on a building at 120th street and Park Ave, NYC (see previous blog page here for more info)

UPDATE;
Below is a detail photo of Elizabeth’s face now that the clay is totally dry and ready to be molded, this view taken from a slight angle above the center line shows her face very nicely. I’m quite happy the way this model turned out;

Progressing much better now thanks to advice on the lips and a few other trouble spots.

After a little more work on this tonight (3/21) I now have the panel hollowed out and laid flat on the modelling table to begin the slow drying out process, the final photo will have to wait a bit.

A comparison with an earlier version from this evening shows how extraordinarily minute modelling changes results in a dramatic change in Elizabeth’s expression and character, earlier on the left, more recent on the right;

More recent yet showing a new direction in her expression with some minor changes to lips with a slight uplift in the corner, and some minor changes to the nose profile, eyelids and underchin area;

Here I now have the circular central border completed, and the perimeter border has been laid in with a template, of course the four corners will need hand finishing.

I debated a little while on whether or not to even add the border as the original had, but after I smoothed the four corners level I decided it was crying out for that border to look finished. I decided to use the same template I created for the Putti-Sea monster panel, a little fancier than the original Elizabeth had but a little less fragile on the edge. I think the change will look nice.

Here I am standing next to the model.

A quick going over tonight I am still laying out the landmarks and getting a feel for where it needs building up, reduction and other changes, I always hate seeing photos of this stage because the models always look terrible, but over time with adjustments here and there, sometimes very subtle ones changes the whole appearance for the better.