Rodent Study

Before I began work on the rodent project I needed to do a lot of research into rodents.  I gathered up as much photographic reference and anatomy charts as I could on the subject of hairless mice and rats and began making sketches. I did sketches so I have an understanding of the anatomy and dimensions of the rodents. This helps because it gives me a mental blueprint of what I’m modelling and allows me to progress quickly. Its almost the same as having a physical sculpture in front of me to look at.

I also found this study to be particularly helpful for modelling “wrinkle head”. Hairless mice and rats have very wrinkly bodies. They look very much like hairless cats. It can be seen in some of my sketches of hairless mice that there is some wrinkle detail drawn in. Wrinkles are tricky to draw and model and I found after this study that I have a much better understanding of how to make wrinkles and how to put them in the right places.