New Zealand cattle

A request for a selection of four different cattle models got me thinking about which breeds would make good little models. They need to distinctive enough to be recognisable as the breed they are. I'd made a Highland cow before so I knew that would work well:

So here is Highland cow mkII.

I'd also made a black and white Holstein cow before:

So here is the Holstein mkII

So I needed two more breeds. A short browse on google, and I thought I'd try a Hereford:

Fairly distinctive colouring, plus the hair over the withers, but what really made this critter was the curly locks on his forehead:

I'm really pleased with the curls!

So a final cow breed was needed...I decided on a Jersey since they have good colouring plus can have horns. Then I would have a balance of two dairy and two beef breeds, two horned breeds and two polled, and a range of colours and coat textures:

plus a cow bell :-) on this one

and spikey hair style.

Originals and latest models

I found a picture of the very original models:

These were made from some cheap, brightly coloured clay I bought to keep my three year old happy, but ended up playing with myself... three packets later, I thought I'd better get my own and bought my first starter pack of FIMO.

And here are the most recent requests: T. rex, rooaarr!

and another cow - except I got a bit bored with black and white!

well, I've got so many pretty colours now....

addicted!!!!

Finally got the Holstein right!

Another commission! Second attempt overall at making a black and white Holstein type cow. I made the first one too thin (too true to life!) and the legs weren't right either.

Lesson learnt: too realistic is no good, these are characters not true-life sculpture. The skill is to identify the features which make it obviously the animal its supposed to be but still make it cartoon-like. I loved adding the bell to this one! I can see the models getting more and more detailed - where will this end??? Also, I can see my 'style' developing.

Here she is varnished and drying prior to posting off tomorrow.

Evolution of the Highland cow

This critter started life looking a little different:

This was with the original modelling clay, non-bakeable, interesting colours only.
And this is the first attempt with the FIMO:

Pre-varnish.
Other attempts haven't been as successful. I am realising that the more detail the better, hence Highland cows with their long hair are rather good. The Holstein-Friesian needs more work.
My son was concerned that this poor cow couldn't see!

Here he is, all varnished and dried

The Highland Cow