16 Feb Craft Processes: Digital Manual Hybrids with Scientific Art Studio

I can't get over these incredible lifelike sculptures made by combining traditional sculpture techniques with digital modeling and prototyping. Artist Rey Hernandez has published a fascinating expose on his techniques. Peek inside Scientific Art Studio and see how they created the Animal Learning Plaza for the San Francisco Zoo. Envisioned as tactile exhibits, photos give scant clues that the sculptures are not living and breathing. [gallery type="rectangular" link="none" ids="2496,2512"] [gallery type="rectangular" link="none" ids="2497,2498,2499"] It may be that not every home needs a 3D printer, but Rey aptly demonstrates the advantages conferred to artists by digital design. After designing in Zbrush, the models are either 3D printed, or cut from foam on CNC machinery, then cast in bronze, concrete, or resin. Note the intermediary clay model: [gallery type="rectangular" link="none" ids="2514,2517,2508"]