Clay Companion Cube
Intro: Clay Companion Cube
All those E3 shots and videos of Portal 2 reminded me how much I liked the game. I wanted to make something from the game and the "Weighted Companion Cube" seemed like the ideal afternoon project.
What you'll need:
- Patience
- A smooth surface to work on
- Modeling clay (I used air dry)
- Brushes (medium + fine)
- Colors
- Clear spray lacquer or a sealer
- Toothpicks
- x-acto blade or a scalpel
What you'll need:
- Patience
- A smooth surface to work on
- Modeling clay (I used air dry)
- Brushes (medium + fine)
- Colors
- Clear spray lacquer or a sealer
- Toothpicks
- x-acto blade or a scalpel
STEP 1: Modeling Base
Create a cube shape any size you want (mine was approx. 8cm). This is the base so make it as square as possible as it will affect the final look.
You will get little grooves and imperfections along the surface. Don't worry, wet your finger and polish the surface gently being careful not to distort the shape.
When you're satisfied with the base use a scalpel or an x-acto knife to score V groves along the surface basically quartering each side. Remove excess clay and use a toothpick to smooth and straighten out the groves.
You will get little grooves and imperfections along the surface. Don't worry, wet your finger and polish the surface gently being careful not to distort the shape.
When you're satisfied with the base use a scalpel or an x-acto knife to score V groves along the surface basically quartering each side. Remove excess clay and use a toothpick to smooth and straighten out the groves.
STEP 2: Modeling Details
I suggest letting the base dry for a little as it will make it easier to attach the details without warping.
Find a smooth corner (I used the corner of the plank I was working on) and create a basic shape for the corner. Measure it against the base and cut and coarsely reshape on the corner. Apply a little water on the corner of the base and the back side of the new piece to stick them together. Apply only light pressure to avoid distorting the shape!
Once it's stuck to the base use a toothpick to add edges to the new piece. I found it helped if I dab the toothpick in water.
The procedure for the "middle-side" pieces is the same just use a sharp table edge instead of a corner.
To make the circles take a small amount off clay and form it into a ball. Press it with your fingers to squish it into the desired shape flipping it to prevent it from getting stuck. Again apply water to both sides and stick them together.
Depending on the type of clay, now is the time to bake it or, as in my case, leave it to dry overnight.
Find a smooth corner (I used the corner of the plank I was working on) and create a basic shape for the corner. Measure it against the base and cut and coarsely reshape on the corner. Apply a little water on the corner of the base and the back side of the new piece to stick them together. Apply only light pressure to avoid distorting the shape!
Once it's stuck to the base use a toothpick to add edges to the new piece. I found it helped if I dab the toothpick in water.
The procedure for the "middle-side" pieces is the same just use a sharp table edge instead of a corner.
To make the circles take a small amount off clay and form it into a ball. Press it with your fingers to squish it into the desired shape flipping it to prevent it from getting stuck. Again apply water to both sides and stick them together.
Depending on the type of clay, now is the time to bake it or, as in my case, leave it to dry overnight.
STEP 3: Painting
Once the cube is dry and ready to absorb some paint prepare your work area.
First you need to prepare the base color. I used green, blue, white and black to get a sort of camo green color. Make a little more than you need because we'll use this as the base for the second color.
Use the medium brush to cover the exposed parts of the "base". Don't worry to much if it gets messy, we'll cover that up with the second color.
Once you've painted the base add a little yellow and a lot of white to the remaining color (leave some aside in case you need to retouch later!) and use it on the remaining surface. Use the fine brush on bordering areas for sharp edges.
First you need to prepare the base color. I used green, blue, white and black to get a sort of camo green color. Make a little more than you need because we'll use this as the base for the second color.
Use the medium brush to cover the exposed parts of the "base". Don't worry to much if it gets messy, we'll cover that up with the second color.
Once you've painted the base add a little yellow and a lot of white to the remaining color (leave some aside in case you need to retouch later!) and use it on the remaining surface. Use the fine brush on bordering areas for sharp edges.
STEP 4: Finishing Details
Now that your cube is painted we only need to add a couple of details.
Mix a pinkish color (I used a little blue, red and white) and use a toothpick to paint the V groves we made earlier.
Use a graphite pen to draw a hart on each circle and use the fine brush to fill it in with pink.
If you messed anything up now is the time to fix it.
Leave the paint to dry, and make a makeshift stand out of clay and toothpicks (see picture). Take the whole setup outside and place the cube on the stand. Shake your lacquer or sealer and spray it with a couple of coats letting it dry in between.
Your cube is now ready to make you company ;-)
Mix a pinkish color (I used a little blue, red and white) and use a toothpick to paint the V groves we made earlier.
Use a graphite pen to draw a hart on each circle and use the fine brush to fill it in with pink.
If you messed anything up now is the time to fix it.
Leave the paint to dry, and make a makeshift stand out of clay and toothpicks (see picture). Take the whole setup outside and place the cube on the stand. Shake your lacquer or sealer and spray it with a couple of coats letting it dry in between.
Your cube is now ready to make you company ;-)
4 Comments
rbaxa 13 years ago
I'm making a note here
--HUGE SUCESS!
or_ford98 12 years ago
wawa1474 12 years ago
I'm making a note here:
Huge Success.
It's hard to overstate
My satisfaction.
Aperture Science
We do what we must
Because we can.
For the good of all of us.
Except the ones or dead.
But there's no sense trying
Over every mistake.
You just keep on trying
Till run out of cake.
And the science gets done.
And you make a neat gun.
For the people who are
Still live.
Dear << Subject Name Here >>,
I'm not even angry.
I'm being so sincere right now.
Even though you broke my heart,
And killed me.
And tore me to pieces.
And threw every piece into a fire.
As they burned it hurt because
I was so happy for you!
Now these points of data
Make a beautiful line.
And we're out of beta.
We're releasing on time.
I'm so GLaD. I got burned.
Think of all the things we learned
For the people who are
Still alive.
One last thing:
Go ahead and leave me.
I think I prefer to stay inside.
Maybe you'll find someone helps
To help you.
Maybe Black Mesa…
That Was A Joke. Fat Chance.
Anyway, this cake is great.
It's all delicious and moist.
Look at me still talking
When there's science to do.
When I look at there,
It makes me GLaD I'm not you.
I've experiments to run.
There is research to be done.
On the people who are
Still alive.
PS: And believe me I am
Still alive.
PPS: I'm doing science and I'm
Still alive.
PPPS: I feel FANTASTIC and I'm
Still alive.
FINAL THOUGHT:
While you're dying I'll be
Still alive.
FINAL THOUGHT PS:
And when you're dead I will be
Still alive.
Still alive.
(Still alive)
wawa1474 12 years ago
I'm making a huge note here:
Huge Success.
It's hard to overstate
My satisfaction.
Aperture Science
We do what we must
Because we can.
For the good of all of us.
Except the ones or dead.
But there's no sense trying
Over every mistake.
You just keep on trying
Till run out of cake.
And the science gets done.
And you make a neat gun.
For the people who are
Still live.
Dear << Subject Name Here >>,
I'm not even angry.
I'm being so sincere right now.
Even though you broke my heart,
And killed me.
And tore me to pieces.
And threw every piece into a fire.
As they burned it hurt because
I was so happy for you!
Now these points of data
Make a beautiful line.
And we're out of beta.
We're releasing on time.
I'm so GLaD. I got burned.
Think of all the things we learned
For the people who are
Still alive.
One last thing:
Go ahead and leave me.
I think I prefer to stay inside.
Maybe you'll find someone helps
To help you.
Maybe Black Mesa…
That Was A Joke. Fat Chance.
Anyway, this cake is great.
It's all delicious and moist.
Look at me still talking
When there's science to do.
When I look at there,
It makes me GLaD I'm not you.
I've experiments to run.
There is research to be done.
On the people who are
Still alive.
PS: And believe me I am
Still alive.
PPS: I'm doing science and I'm
Still alive.
PPPS: I feel FANTASTIC and I'm
Still alive.
FINAL THOUGHT:
While you're dying I'll be
Still alive.
FINAL THOUGHT PS:
And when you're dead I will be
Still alive.
Still alive.
(Still alive)