polymer clay R2-D2 sculpture
…a project 3 years in the making.
Way back in January 2007, I posted a cryptic wip (work-in-progress) of a FIMO sculpture I’d started:
Can you tell what it is yet? 😉
Yes, I’m a lifelong Star Wars geek, and I was making a model R2-D2. I finished and baked the head, and then… nothing. I’d actually intimidated myself – the head was so detailed and so good that I didn’t think I’d be able to make a body to do justice to it! Also, I really wanted the head to be jointed so that it could rotate, and I wasn’t quite sure how to accomplish that. I filled a page in my notebook with sketches and ideas, but I never got any further than that. And the longer I waited, the less likely it became that I’d ever finish my R2 project 🙁
This Christmas, I decided that after working myself so hard for an entire year (never work for me – I am a demanding boss!) I’d take a week off to spend time with Dave and just relax. And relaxing, for me, involves making stuff, so I got out the FIMO and set to work. A week and many baking sessions in the toaster oven later, here is the finished R2-D2:
I am so happy with how he turned out! He is perfectly hand-sized at 8cm (just over 3″) tall, and he comes with a secret special feature: yep, I managed to get that rotating head working! I embedded a rare earth magnet into his body, and stuck a second magnet to the base of his head. This lets the head rotate smoothly and freely. Not sure what I’m talking about? Here’s a shot of the inside:
(The purple clay inside the body is just a core I made by smushing all my leftover unbaked scraps from past FIMO projects together. As it doesn’t show in the finished piece, there’s no point in wasting a huge lump of new clay, so I made a cylinder from the scrap clay, baked it, and then covered it in a sheet of white clay to form the torso.)
The head magnet fits perfectly inside the recessed hole. There’s a second magnet just beneath the surface of the clay at the bottom of the hole, so the head doesn’t fall off the body but can swivel freely. The rare earth magnets are so strong that, even when separated by a thin layer of clay, you can safely lift R2 by his head and his body will stay firmly attached. Here’s a little animation of his head moving:
This project was a great break from my normal life. I love the enforced calm that comes with my polymer clay work. It’s so detailed and precise that I have to empty my mind and just concentrate on slicing off that sliver of clay, or smoothing out that fingerprint – it’s almost meditative. My batteries are recharged and I’m ready to tackle 2010!
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martin said
cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rose said
I totally love it! I love star wars and so does the rest of my family. And who doesnt love someone like R2? I love this! Sooooo Cool!
Nyssa Rae said
WOW!, that is so Awesome, well done, and I agree, relaxing is about taking on a time consuming but less stressful creative activity 🙂 Something for yourself, instead of for a purpose! 😀
Joan said
All I can say is, “Wow”!! Okay, that’s not exactly true; your work is amazing. I came to your site looking at your crochet work and stumbled on your rentdition of R2D2. Magnificent. I appreciate the perfectionist detail that I anally bring in my own work (meant as a compliment).
Cath said
The detail on this sculpture is amazing! Perfect coloration, too.
I spent an unreasonable amount of time studying photos of R2D2 recently. This fall I made a wool, needle felted Artoo for my kid’s birthday, and it was a challenge for me to fit the important elements in it.
www.waldorfmodern.com/2009/11/needle-felted-r2.html
Anna M. said
Are you going to make C-3PO too? Just a thought. Great job by the way.
June said
Thank you all so much! R2 now has pride of place on the shelf above my desk 🙂
And I’m so happy I’ve inspired some of you to play with polymer clay too! Don’t be intimidated – just grab the clay and start playing with it. The great thing about polymer clay is it doesn’t dry out or harden until you bake it, so if it goes wrong, you haven’t lost anything – you can always smush it up and try again until it does what you’re hoping for. Enjoy the process!
melissa said
oh my gosh june!
it is fabulous!
you are amazing!
happy happy new year!
xoxox
melissa and emmitt
Debbie Buckland (NZ) said
this is absolutely awesome!
Mine have Nothing to compare to this.
You motivate me to make better things with polymer clay!
Miriam said
Just amazing. Amazing! I love all my fellow nerd/geek crafters.
James Griffin said
Great work there, I love him! Kudos with the magnet, those little things are great aren’t they? you’ve finished him so nicely, I’m very impressed.
James
futuregirl said
I *love* that this is the sort of thing you do in “down time.” So cool! And it’s pretty unbelievable the level of detail and craftsmanship in the tiny RD-D2! Wow wow wow. You’re like a Star Trek replicator, except you take a little longer. 😉
Wendy said
You should be so proud of yourself, that is awesome.
Stephanie said
I came across your blog via Craft… this sculpture is absolutely amazing! I am definitely busting out the polymer clay now, but it’ll be awhile before I progress to your level of detail =)
Sarah Snell-Pym said
That is absolutely amazing! I’d have probably baked in a Lazy Susan bearing to get the swivel effect not sure how small you can get them though.
I am now tempted to go and dig out my polymer clay…
Again he really is fantastic and I am awed by the detail!
Sarah/Saffy
Robyn said
That turned out awesome!
Jennifer said
Holy moly, this is absolutely outstanding! Found this link on Twitter and I’m off to spread the love some more. Great job 🙂
Rebekah said
oh my goodness! you are amazing! This turned out great!
Michelle said
Wow, this is *so* awesome. All those little details, I can’t imagine making something so intricate (and small!). This totally rocks! =)
Sally said
Well done on the attention to detail – your R2-D2 sculpture looks brilliant! 🙂
Carina said
Best recreation of R2 ever. And I have seen my fair share of ’em. You rock, m’lady.
I suggest the Death Star for your next project. It’s only slightly more detailed than R2. (-:
Tal said
It’s awesome!!! Worth waiting for. Can’t believe the detail!
Tibi said
Geek-credible, June!
SO worth the investment of time to get it JUST right, you’ve done him proud, methinks!
Silverlotus said
Wow! You are so talented, June. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing R2-D2 with us.
Corvus said
So very awesome! I bet you’re going to get a lot of internet attention for this one.
Lindy said
Incredible – there’s no other word for it! Great detail and just looks fantastic. The animation is brilliant too.
Debbie Stassin said
I love your R2-D2! My whole family loves Star Wars! You really out did yourself with this creation. Your attention to detail is appreciated! I am all fumble-thumbs with clay, so I enjoyed your efforts by bringing my favorite Star Wars character to life!
Caroline said
OMG! This is FANTASTIC!!! NERDTASTIC! and definitely a WIN!!!