Portland Museum Model Blog Post 2

With the project underway I have started to research Ammonites, and their colouration. Ammonites are best known for their spiral shells, and despite there being many other shapes, it was decided by my client that the model have this recognisable spiral shell.

Initial discussion was for a wall mounted model, but upon finding out that many of the museum's interactive exhibits had to be removed due to COVID, I suggested that the model could be made interactive. This model would sit on a table, and have a hard shell, and soft body that feels more realistic. Due to time constraints of the unit the model would not be as large as the many huge ammonite fossils the museum has on display, It would have to be made of durable materials that could not only withstand many visitors touching it, but could also be disinfected to keep in line with COVID guidelines.

During my research I really struggled to find (reputable) sources which discussed the possible colouration and appearance of ammonites in life. When an ammonite died, its soft tissues decomposed very quickly, meaning very very few fossils of their squid-like bodies exist, and none displayed any colouration. Even fossils of the shells, which exist in abundance, do not offer much insight into their colouration, as most fossils are created by sediment that either filled or surrounded the shell of the ammonite, and later solidified into rock. The shell itself is also rarely preserved. Due to this, my ammonites appearance will be based on common interpretations of ammonites in modern illustrations, as well as by looking at creatures which are alive today that could resemble it. For the body. I have used squids and cuttlefish as my reference point. For the shell, the nautilus will be my closest possible match. I plan to have the body be flesh tone, and the shell an off white with brown patterns.

I created a sketch model using air drying terracotta clay in order to decide on a size and shape for the final model.

I shared this with the client, who was happy with the shell and overall size, but discussed adding a ridge onto the top of the head of the ammonite, as they are often illustrated with them, similar to the head plate on a nautilus.

With that decided it was time to begin making the model.

To begin with I wanted to make the model using a wax based clay called plastiline, however as I began making I found that it was extremely hard on the joints in my hands, and also did not hold the level of small detail I wanted in my final sculpt. I decided to switch back to the air drying terracotta clay, which I am more familiar with. I also decided to use my sketch model as the base for the final sculpt as it already had the general shape and size that the client desired. I extended the outer spirals, making them much thicker, and took out some of the clay at the bottom of the sculpt where it met the base board, allowing it to curve under itself and give it a more realistic appearance.

I then took a plaster cast of the end of the shell, which I then filled with liquid plaster to get a cast. This cast will be used later to ensure that the body is in proportion to the shell when I sculpt it.

With that done it was time to start moulding and casting.