Toby Froud puppet workshop

Two weekends ago I was in Reno on a spur of the moment opportunity to learn how to make a puppet from Toby Froud at Linda Yaxley's fantastic studio space. I hitched a ride with my friends Laurie (One Woman's Creative Eye) and Valerie and had a fantastic time. As usual I was a slowpoke, so the only thing I managed to finish in the two-day workshop was the sculpted head/hands and puppet mechanism. I didn't get to the painting or costuming but hopefully will do that faster than I finished my faerie. LOL

I really should practice sculpting. It was fun to do and the time just flew by on Saturday! This time I took a cue from Laurie and brought some inspiration photos and artwork. I'm not 100% satisfied with the end result but I'm pretty happy with the overall piece. The nose and mouth went very well. And Toby is so knowledgeable - he pointed a simple little trick with the lips and in a minute mine looked more natural. Amazing!

The head and hands and puppet control disk after baking:

 

(They always look slightly menacing when they only have the armatures supporting them.)

Now the puppet mechanism has been constructed from the most simple of materials: aluminum armature, wood dowels, oxygen tubing!, and yes, the best tool on earth, duct tape!

As of yet she's a bit ghostly looking without any paint. But I hope to remedy that soon. I plan on making her costume a take off of a kimono/obi combo. Not sure exactly yet, but we'll see. Perhaps that'll change after I do her makeup.

At the workshop I met a friend of Laurie's and Valerie's - Kate (Meadowoodmist Creations - you gotta check out the elves that she made last year for her friends/family). We were roomies Saturday night and I can say that she's a riot! It was really great meeting her. She's been sculpting for a while, as you can see by her puppet - a cross between a troll and a gremlin:

Fantastic paint job! She used these metallic rub-on paints. I have to find some now. They gave such a great effect!

Toby's retired hangman puppet:

 

and his bird puppet (who wasn't too happy with having such colorful plumage, he managed to lose a few of his feathers during the weekend):

Lots of laughs, a little frustration, but totally worth it in the end.

Comments

[LillySue]

Hi there~
LOVE your blog!
My 16 year old daughter Holly found you thru Google. We have taken one of Wendy's classes, recently purchased her dvd's and are going to take Toby's class in Portland on Dec. 5th & 6th. Your puppet looks really good...Kate's is cool too. She should have it finished soon and pictures posted. Are you on Facebook? I am under LillySue Thornton and am friends with many other Froud friends/fans. I noticed you don't have a way to follow here on your blog but I will put you on the sidebar of our blog. Stop by to visit when you can. Are you going to take Toby's Dec. class? We are looking for someone to share a little guest house with. Sherri Morgan will be coming up, but I imagine she will stay with Sarah and Toby. I look forward to hearing from you!
Blessings~LillySue

[Ute Vasina]

Tami,
I need to find out where these things are too! I would so be there!!