Footprint fossil sculpture of H. ferox from “The Fossils on Mars.” 1:1 scale. Plaster (see below). 2024.
Illustration of H. ferox.
How was it made?
This is a very simple process that’s easy to try! Using clay as a wall, a mixture of plaster, sand and acrylic paint was poured into the basic mould. Then, a crude size-accurate model of the front ‘hooves’ which was made from cardboard and tin foil (to block out where fleshy pads and nail surface would be) was pressed into the plaster, and lifted out as if the animal was taking a slow step. Any sharp edges left were sanded out after the plaster had cured to make it look more worn, and a thin wash of paint was added to highlight the depth and stony detail.
Studies of some of the fossils which inspired this model: