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Stag

The type of horns above are from a Bighorn.  These horns are a really interesting shape however generally they are the most commonly used horn shape to make prosthetics from and I am looking to exlore something new. I am also looking to create horns that are elegant in appearance and the bulkyness of these would not appear how I envision them. 

Doing some basic sketches of various horns helped me to determine the type were best for me to create for my project. 

Giant Eland

Native to central Africa, the giant eland is the biggest antelope in the world. It's horns have thread variation: the swirls are tighter near its head, and straighten out towards the tips. 

 

All the above 9 images are from:

The 10 Best Horns In The Animal World: The Definitive List (2014) Available at: http://modernfarmer.com/2014/08/10-best-horns-animal-world-definitive-list/ (Accessed: 19 March 2015). 

Scimitar-Horned Oryx

The scimitar-horned oryx is the buffalo of north Africa: formerly widespread, roaming the savannah in huge herds, it was hunted (for its horns, rather than its meat, though it was eaten), and it disappeared. More interestingly: the oryx is extinct in the wild, only existing now in zoos. It’s not a huge animal, but the horns can reach four feet long.

 Blackbuck

The blackbuck roams and leaps the wilds of India. Due to its excellent horns and intricate reverse-raccoon patterning, it was a favorite hunting target for the very rich until somebody realized there were almost none of the species left. Part of its protection started because an Indian film star was caught shooting them after they had been added to the endangered species list.

Bharal

According to reputable sources, the bharal is also known as the Himalayan blue sheep due to a bluish tint to its fur. Sheep horns tend to be wider and smoother than narrow, knobbly goat horns, and the bharal is in possession of some excellently wide and smooth horns.

Addax

The addax is also known as the screwhorn antelope, which is a perfect name. It’s an antelope, it has horns, and the horns have swirling teeth like a screw. It’s almost extinct from its native Sahara, but strangely survives well in captivity, so it’s a common sight in zoos.

Mouflon

The mouflon is thought to be the ancestor of our modern, very familiar domestic sheep. Sometime during the domestication process the mouflon lost its absolutely massive horns and great tough curving loops.

Markhor

The markhor, according to ARKive, lives in the mountains of central Asia, adeptly climbing craggy rocks with the grace of North America’s own mountain goat. It’s extremely endangered, with an estimated 2,500 left in the wild in part due to hunting for its absurdly spectacular corkscrewed horns, which can grow to more than five feet long.

Saiga

Native to the dusty steppes of Kazakhstan, Russia, and sometimes Uzbekistan during migrations, the saiga is a truly absurd-looking and delightful antelope. Its fleshy, shotgun-like nose is used to filter out dust in its habitat and also, to warm cold winter air before it makes its way to the animal’s lungs. Its spiralled horns are a light, dusky pink, with the luster of jade. It’s also incredibly endangered;read this for more about the plight of the noble, floppy-nosed saiga.

Nubian Ibex

The Nubian ibex’s gigantic, backward-curling horns are even more impressive when you consider that the ibex uses them to smash into male competitors while on top of scary mountains in North Africa and Arabia. There are a few different types of ibex and nobody’s quite sure whether they’re the same species or not.

Types of Animal Horns

The Antelope are a beautiful elegant shape that is very similar to the horns I first imagined. The ridges on them make them distinctive in an enormous variety of horns. They could end up tieing in with the look really well. 

Stag horns are probably the most iconic and recognisable horns, they can be huge in width and height which straight away gives me a challenge. The only concern with these horns is that they are so complexed, mould making is not one of my strong points and already making horns for me is a challenge  stag horns could be way too risky with time not of the essense stag horns would not be the best option for me. 

The Kudu horns are my second favourite horns following the antelope horns because of the long elegant shape and the spiralling effect as the horn progresses. They are beautiful and definitely one to consider however there is not a huge amount of ridges or any areas of interest and character on them. 

Choosing the Type of Horns

The four images surrounding are from a youtube video about creating malificent horns. I have included this because the process is being done the same as I have chosen, creating a wire mesh covered in tin foil to sculpt on eliminates the need for a huge amount of clay and also makes the horns lighter to handle. For large horns including ones like I plan to make this is method is quicker and cost effective. 

In the bottom pictures the horns have been removed from the head and are being smoothed out and later texturised once the form has been created. 

Reference: Sweet, G. (2014) maleficenthorns. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLzH8aGVpMnZGQ839MsH9MsVJ-2-10UpP3 (Accessed: 19 March 2015)

Horns is a film starring Daniel Radcliffe as the main character, as you can see in the above pictures there are various types of horns worn by him throughout the film. The ones shown in the first picture are quite small, the horn bases are quite impressive the bases are probably made from silicone flat pieces. The second image are of entirely different horns, these are much bigger and probably a lot heavier. There looks as though there is a head piece that has been applied that would be used to hold the horns up and in place. 

Reference: elias, debbie lynn (no date) HORNS. Available at: http://moviesharkdeblore.com/site/reviews/horns/ (Accessed: 27 March 2015)

Sculpting Horns

Resin Horns 

The three images of horns above are all made from resin. They are used for display purposes only not for prosthetic use therefore they are entirely made from resin and are probably quite heavy apart from the horns on the far right since they are hollow. It is helpful still to study these images even if they are not prosthetics becase the painting techniques and detail on them can be helpful informing my work. 

Reference: Type #10 resin horns - Springbok (no date) Available at: http://starborneworks.deviantart.com/art/Type-10-resin-horns-Springbok-376761187 (Accessed: 18 March 2015)

Horns (Film)

Images Inspiring Designs

All images accessable from: Professional Makeup Project (2015) Available at: https://www.pinterest.com/georgiegbk8/professional-makeup-project/ (Accessed: 19 March 2015)

Brush on Silicone Mould

I have included this video because the process of moulding this axe is very similar to moulding the horns. Silicone is brushed over the sculpted horns to pick up all of the detail. There then needs to be a supportive shell applied, fiberglass is generally used however plaster bandage can also be used if the mould is going to be filled straight away as it can collapse and lose its shape. 

Video reference: Brick In The Yard Mold Supply (2014) Mold Making & Casting Tutorial: 2 Piece Brush On Mold. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKRWRC_e6kg (Accessed: 5 April 2015)

Below are three images of horns in progress, the first image is of two sets of horns made entirely from fast cast resin, they are relitively small and dont need to be filled with expandable foam. The second two images are of horn sculptures before moulding, one has been sculpted onto a head and more than likely onto a metal structure and the second has been sculpted entirely from clay. The shapes on all of the horns are extremely detailed however there is not much texture on them at all. 

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