2008 Buffalo Roam Project

Preparation of the Bison Model

This involved uncrating, surface defect correction, sanding, cleaning and retouch priming of the buffalo calf model. The team at Bob's Body Shop in Glendive inspected and retouched the fiberglass model to prepare it for painting. Doing this will ensure a flawless clearcoat when the painting is finished.

Concept Sketches

This involved sketching both sides of the buffalo with images to be painted. During sketching I also discovered a few more surface defects that had to be filled and lightly sanded prior to painting.The theme contains Native American and wildlife elements that represent the game and mountains of western Montana to those of the plains and badlands of eastern Montana. Click on the "Concept Sketches" button above to view a preview collage of images.

Handpainting the Skyline

I considered using an airbrush to develop the skyline, but decided to handpaint it instead. This required masking of some of the sketches to obtain a gradient color skyline without painting completely over the design sketches. Click on the button to see a large size collage of images.

Handpainting (Model Left Side)

Elements include an Oglala Sioux warrior "Raven Blanket" with a full warbonnet, a bull elk and a snowy mountain background depicting western Montana, and the "Buffalo Roam" project logo on the left hip. Click on the button to see a large collage of images.

Handpainting (Model Right Side)

The right side of the model contains a profile portrait of the Crow warrior "Shot in the Hand", an American bison and a background depicting the Great Plains and badlands of eastern Montana.

Forehead Model Detail

The forehead of the bison model features a "Dreamcatcher" symbol with three eagle feathers.