Originally posted on 8/10/09
We'd like to introduce you to an amazing artist named Mike Hill, who definitely has a knack for creating some of the most exciting and lifelike sculptures of our movie, TV, and comic book icons that we've ever seen!
To give you an idea of how good his work is, this bust of Maria Ouspenskaya as the old gypsy Maleva in "The Wolf Man" (right) isn't even finished yet (note the clay eyebrows). And take a look at another of his latest projects, a tribute to Elsa Lanchester's "Bride of Frankenstein":
Here, enjoying a spot of tea while being made up once again as the Frankenstein Monster by the great Jack Pierce, is our very own "Dear Boris" (Karloff):
How does Mike render such a masterpiece without a model? "I used stills and DVDs," he informs us. "He [Boris] was sculpted in a water based clay. And cast in silicone. I did not do a lifecast of someone's body--I sculpted the whole thing."
From his bio: "Michael E. Hill was born in Cheshire, England. From an early age he developed a passion for the fantastic whether it be comic books, television or movies...From the age of four Mike's artistic ability started to shine and he began to draw the fantastic images he adored.
"As he grew older, Mike's artistic visions progressed into 3D sculpture and costume and mask making.
"Having become one of the worlds leading figure sculptors and a master of capturing the human likeness, his career to date has included figure kit sculpting, wax figures, creature designing, prosthetic make-up, and creating hyper-real character statues."
Check out Mike's website for many more incredible works of art that should warm the heart and chill the blood of any monster and comics fan. We guarantee you've never seen anything like it!
(Thanks to Mike for the use of these pics and material from his website.)