Step 1: CONCEPT ART

Atlantis. A subject that always fascinated me. However the portrayal of this legendary city through a figure would be a very difficult task. How could something so mythically extravagant be reflected in something so small? The solution came after a documentary I watched about the creatures of the deep. I realized how little we know about what lives at the bottom of the oceans - this unlocked my imagination; Combining the unknown abyss with this great mystery of Atlantis. So after several hours of thinking I came up with a complete concept.

Step 2: Tools of the Trade

In the picture you can see most of the tools and materials I used to complete the project

Other materials used: BeesPutty / Aves Epoxy / Green Stuff / wire / car filler putty / tin foil / plastic sheet

Step 3: STEPS 1/2/3 Creating the Armature

For the construction of the fish an armature had to be created, applying the same principles used for any normal figure. Due to the large size of the creature, it needed to be lightweight so it could be easily supported using only one point of contact on the base. Once the putty was completely dry all the remaining gaps were filled with aluminum foil and not putty. The particular material was used in order to keep the creature as light as possible.

Step 4: Sculpting the Creature (Leviathan)

Now came the difficult part – positioning the Leviathan on to the base. Supporting the creature on the base would not be easy, as the entire sculpt would have to be connected to “one” point in order to maintain the illusion of floating. In order to achieve this, a piece of thick wire was passed through the left fin so that it could act as the connecting point between the fish and the terrain

Step 5: Creating the Armor

The armor of the Leviathan would play a very important role, as it was the element that would transform the creature from a wild and uncontrollable monster into a trained fighting machine. The extensive study of the concept art and the consequent break down of the design into individual sections helped in the construction of the armor.

Step 6: Adjusting the Creature to the Base

The armor is finished. In this case the functional part was very difficult, as everything on and about the armor had its purpose: not to prevent the creature’s movement, shape of the armor should be hydrodynamic, ergonomic for the rider etc. When planning this we must not forget that this is an underwater scene, where gravity, pressure, resistance and dynamics are completely different from what we are accustomed to.

Step 7: Sculpting the Rider

Beyond the figures character, both the physiology as well as the armor of the figure were of paramount importance. The physiology should be such which would clearly inform the viewer that it is not a simple man, but an anthropomorphic creature of the water.