I’ve probably mentioned this before, but if I could only read one series of books then it would be Frank Herbert’s Dune series. I’ve read all 6 of his releases 3 times in the past 15 years or so since I discovered them. (only one of his sons more recent ones so far, House Atreides, but I plan to read them sooner or later) I decided to look around to see if any decent Dune Models existed, but aside from a cool Sandworm and some old 80′s plastic kits from the awful 1980′s movie rendition of Dune, the pickings were slim to none. I’ve always found Leto II transformation/symbiosis with the sand trout to become a Sandworm fascinating so I decided to fill that gap in my collection by sculpting one of my own. This is by no means “canon” as a: it’s a BOOK (imaginations people!) and b: I’ve taken at least one design liberty to be sure, but I think the essence of Leto II’s multi-millennia-old form is there. It’s been a few years since I last read the books so everything here is from memory and random art found on the interwebs.

I can’t recall if he still had his legs in the book, but I recall something about one being lost and them being an encumbrance anyway so I decided to leave them off. Some of the art I found had them, others did not. I also decided to have his arms inside of the “cowling” with his head as opposed to being part of the worms exterior. Again, I can’t recall where they actually were.   I figured if he’s turning into a worm (and mostly there already) and enjoys his time in the desert sands, that the ability to have his arms tucked inside of the cowl would be a bonus for burrowing about. I also recall Siona sleeping inside of his cowl in the desert under his tucked-in head so I want there to be some sort of space there as well as a visual mechanism for adjusting the head position. For that I am using something that looks what’s left of his “sandtrout” skin as the skin-folds and musculature. (spoiler: Sandtrout are tiny slug/worm like creatures that encapsulate the planets water to protect the worms from it)

The rear worm parts of the body I decided to leave somewhat plain and segmented. The only detailing being some muscle-like detail between the outward bent segments, a rough weathered stone-like texture with small scours from eons of sand, and some breathing-holes along the exterior in three lines. This lack of horns, ribs, etc is to allow thew worm to travel beneath the sands in a more streamlined fashion. Real worms and mother nature always have the best solutions, if not a little plain. Around the mouth/cowl though I plan to jazz it up a bit.

As usual I don’t have anything decent in sketches to show and am doing this mostly from my own head. What I have sketched is so rough that it’s not worth showing. Just arm placements, to-scale roughs for sizing the arms, etc… This is turning out to be a fairly big piece though and would be bigger if I didn’t have him in a somewhat coiled pose. Stretched out he’d be about 20-22″ long. He’s sculpted in Super Sculpey mixed with Sculpey III. The armature was coiled wire, like a spring in order to maintain the worm-shape.

I’m constructing this with possible casting in mind as it’s always a possibility and making it in sections helps. I’ll probably bake the tail section tomorrow after cleaning up under the segment edges a bit, then start on the front segment. The head is baked and the arms are roughed up. Just waiting till the front segment is ready to add/detail those. Here’s all the pics:

Today I tweaked a few last areas and being satisfied I baked him. The baking went well… 200 Degrees F. for one hour. No saging, and only 3 small cracks to fix. A few people ased about possibly casting this. I’m thinking about it and will let you guys know. For now though, he’s done till I either cast him or just paint him up.

I had a little fun with one of the final images and colorized/”comic’d” it in photoshop. Even made it look “halftoned” as if it was scanned in from an actual printed page. ‘shopping model images is always fun!

And here’s the final sculpt shots and immediately below is the image I Photoshopped.

Today I added some last dripping details, mostly on the back and in bare spots. After that I made the large “hittin’ block” and added the texture. Again the camera shows a few small things that could be tweaked further so tomorrow I’ll address them then we bake! Nothing major tweak-wise… a few fingernail marks and other odd creases and I want to add a little more vertical detail to the lips and eyebrow ridges. Here’s the pics though!

Just about done with the sculpt. I made a bunch of random teeth then baked them before pressing them into the “gums”. I’ve also been adding more drips and gloops while smoothing out the surface before adding texture. The texture will be just a slightly rough surface with a few pock-marks and small divets. Similar to my Minotaur, but not as drastic. The Axe head is done. I just need to fill it (it’s hollow) and make the connection between the arm and axe before taking pics.

Since the last update I’ve begun smoothing out the surface with a soft brush and 91% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. I’ve also been fixing the drips and droops.  While working on the legs, I decided that to go with the detailed right hand, that a humanish right foot might also be appropriate. It’s a first for me, but doesn’t look too bad. The other foot I decided would look cool glooped on the ground so I’m working on adding the gloop too.

While editing the pics for this post, I noticed a bunch of odd-looking parts that the harsher light of the photo booth brought out. I’ll address these tomorrow. Once all the smoothing is done, I’ll add a very fine stone texture to him. I also need to make the teeth and axe-hand.