introduction
in my last semester at msu, i decided to take another props class because it's one of my favorite things to do, and i love learning about props! i decided i want to focus on learning about construction techniques rather than specific show analysis, because i'm confident in my script analysis and design skills but wanted to improve on my building ability.
project guide
paper mache beetle
for my first project, i wanted to do a paper mache project because i've worked with it once before and had a lot of fun, and wanted to explore creating my own structure from nothing and turning it into a completed work of art.
i looked at project ideas online, and settled on making a wall art beetle that i would design, construct, and paint.
i found paint colors that matched my reference image of the beetle i was trying to replicate, and got all my dimensions by tracing my reference image in a drawing app and using a grid to figure out my scale.
for paint, i did a white base to cancel out any color irregularities within the paper. after that, i went in with the colored paint to give a base similar to my reference image with the greens, yellows, and reds. once i had my base all dried, i added a top coat of color-changing acrylic paint with a green/gold/red shift to match my base colors. this gave the perfect metallic appearance i was looking for, and my bug was complete!
i think this project was very successful, and the completed piece was basically identical to how i was imaging it as i was planning from the beginning. i succeeded in my goal of refining my paper mache skills, and hope to do similar projects in the future!
after having my build plan all sorted out, i started to use cardboard to create the base skeleton structure of my sculpture. using the scale dimensions i mapped out, i measured and cut out all the shapes i needed.
after getting my base structure, i started to build upwards to create a 3D structure, and attached all my pieces with hot glue. i also used masking tape to fill in the holes between the cardboard for added structure and ease while doing the paper mache.
i used multiple layers of paper mache using newspaper, brown paper, and a glue/water mixture for a very stable structure.
crocheted dragon
another project i completed was an advanced level crochet pattern. crochet is one of my big passions, so i wanted to challenge myself and found a large and complicated pattern so i could push myself and learn new techniques.
the pattern was called "buffy the bat dragon" by joyfully meraki, and i used acrylic, velvet, and chenille yarn. another new technique i used in this project was double stranding the acrylic/velvet yarn and crocheting with both at once to give the finished product a unique texture and appearance.
i am very happy with the process of this crochet project, and i think it was also a great project for me to get out of my comfort zone and try out new techniques so i could become more advanced in my craft. as a skill, crocheting is something that's very important to me because i hope for my crochet business to be a supplemental source of income for me in the future. i would love for bigger projects like this to be an opportunity for custom commissions, and this project was very helpful for me to gain those necessary skills and be comfortable completing bigger projects.
i basically just followed the pattern because it was very detailed and provided lots of good instructions and photos. it contained 25 separate pieces that i either sewed or crocheted together, and involved the following techniques:
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crocheting in the round
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crocheting in rows
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joining pieces together
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working in short rows
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color changes
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inserting sinker eyes
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managing tension
distressed teddy bear
for a distressing project, i chose a teddy bear and wanted to make it look like it had lived through a fire. i used a nontoxic, nonflammable glue to make the new fur look loved and matted, then held the bear over a flame to give it the burned and charred appearance.
making a prop cake
another project i've always wanted to complete was making a prop cake. i found an image of a cake i wanted to reproduce, and found a tutorial on how to complete the project. i used a block of foam that i cut into the shape i wanted on the band saw, and used a mixture of paint and lightweight spackle to create the "frosting".
i was only able to complete the base layer of frosting in time for this class, because i discovered i added too much paint to the spackle when i was attempting to add the frosting details. the frosting started to liquify and didn't hold its shape, so i just scraped it off because the base was already dry.
finishing paint samplers
i chose to implement painting techniques by replicating textures of granite and marble. i used wet blends to get my desired base texture for each, and then went in with more detailed brushwork.
collaborative scene shop tools video
enjoy this collaborative video made by me and the lovely shea snow, and learn about the tools and spaces within the msu scene shop including:
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the hand drill
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the crowbar
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the hot knife
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the chop saw
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the welding space
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the paint booth
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the paint area
knitting presentation
i love fiber arts like knitting and crocheting, so when posed to present about a technique i decided to present about knitting! i talked about the history of the craft and popularity over time, as well as the types of projects that can be completed by knitting and how to achieve the most common stitches. i also presented swatches i made of the garter stitch, stockinette stitch, variations on ribbing, and how to make shapes by increasing and decreasing.
script analysis sample paperwork
this is an example of the type of props list i complete for every show i work on, i keep track of items based on where they appear in the script, make notes of any textual necessities or script notes, and keep columns of my method of obtainment as well as progress towards completion.
personal growth reflection
throughout my semester in thr365, i learned a lot about time management, project planning, and methods of construction. i became a better artist and collaborator, and had a lot of fun experimenting with new techniques. i felt both creatively fulfilled and artistically challenged throughout the class, and loved the opportunity to complete some projects that had been on my mind for a while. i constantly felt inspired observing other people's work, and appreciated being in a community of likeminded creators :)
