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Past Time Bears - Artist bears designed and handcrafted by Sue Ann Holcomb
Shelli Makes - Teddy bears & other cheerful things by Shelli Quinn

ursaminor Posts: 52

...I see a challenge headed for me! I checked through the challenge gallery and this forum and I didn't manage to see this one done before. Inspired by Kelly and others more "realistic" bears, here's my challenge:

Make a realistic bear (or a bear inspired by realism). It can be any species of bear (even extinct species!) but it must resemble an actual species and have realistic colors. The challenge is to make it look more realistic than your average teddy (while still being creative and interesting of course!).

Here's some bear species, in case you're stumped:
Asiatic Black Bear: asiaticblackbearsmaller.png
Black Bear: blackbearsmaller.png
Brown Bear: brownbearsmaller.png
Polar Bear: polarsmaller.png
Sloth Bear: slothsmaller.png
Spectacled Bear: spectacledsmaller.png
Sun Bear: sunbearsmaller.png

Extinct species of bear (obviously a little more imagination is required with these!):
Agriotherium
Ailuropoda microta
Arctodus simus
Bear dog
Cave bear
Cephalogale
Dwarf Panda
Hemicyon
Hemicyonidae ("dog-bear")
Kolponomos
Kolponomos newportensis
MacFarlane's Bear (disputed)
Parictis

Good challenge? Anyone into it? bear_original

dangerbears Dangerbears
Wisconsin
Posts: 6,021
Website

Count me in!  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:

I find real bears to be very inspiring, and it's wonderful that you took the time to give us all of these references. (I'm off to do some research on extinct bear species. :))

Becky

ursaminor Posts: 52
dangerbears wrote:

Count me in!
Becky

Awesome!! I'm going to try to do an extinct one too maybe - I've always been utterly charmed by the bear-dog (Amphicyonidae) family myself! Either that or maybe a sun bear....

Fallenrose near Cologne
Posts: 478

now that's a great challenge theme (as I planned to do a realistic bear some months ago) - only that I absolutely have no time! bear_sad  bear_sad

lovenshire Love and Cuddle Nursery
Missouri
Posts: 945
Website

Not me...I am not that talented!!!

dangerbears Dangerbears
Wisconsin
Posts: 6,021
Website

I've chosen a bear! :dance:  :dance:  :dance: (secret for now)

I'm also using synthetic fur, so it's a double challenge for me. (My mohair and I go way back. :lol:)

Becky

lovenshire Love and Cuddle Nursery
Missouri
Posts: 945
Website

I hope someone makes a Spectacled Bear.  They are so cute!

teeeej Brisbane
Posts: 623

Ohh count me in. I was dabbling with a realistic pattern a few months ago. This gives me an excuse to finish the prototype and then make him in realistic colours.

cobblestonecreations Cobblestone Creations
Maine
Posts: 168
Website

I can't wait to see them!  I think it takes a special talent to make these.

dangerbears Dangerbears
Wisconsin
Posts: 6,021
Website

Here are the paw pads for my realistic-bear-to-be. I've done the first steps of trapunto, so once they're sewn in, I'll make slits and slip some stuffing under the leather pieces. I'll also try pulling the toes once the bear is assembled.

This is a fun challenge!
DSCF3251b.jpg
Becky

HeidiBears florida
Posts: 321

They look great! :dance:

teeeej Brisbane
Posts: 623

Love those pawpads! Once I get these four competition bears out of the way I can start working on my realistic bear.

dangerbears Dangerbears
Wisconsin
Posts: 6,021
Website

Thanks, Heidi and Teeeej! And good luck with those competitions. :dance:

Becky

dangerbears Dangerbears
Wisconsin
Posts: 6,021
Website

DSCF3293b.jpgIs it a grizzly in the grass? No, it's a Kermode or Spirit Bear. He's a big bruin at 23" tall.

The realistic elements I decided to try were the trapunto paw pads and the non-gathered neck, but the really challenging part turned out to be working with the long, dense faux fur. Every single step took longer. But I do like the result! (Oh, he has a little tail as well. ;))

BeckyDSCF3295b.jpg
DSCF3298b.jpg
DSCF3299b.jpg

teeeej Brisbane
Posts: 623

He looks great! I have been trying to work on my prototype this weekend. But my nephew is visiting and I have not got much sewing done.

rowarrior The Littlest Thistle
Glasgow
Posts: 6,212

Aww, great job Becky

HeidiBears florida
Posts: 321

Lovely bear!!  bear_wub  the long fur and paw pads were definitely an excellent touch! He looks just like a real bear yet still so soft and cuddly too  bear_grin .

dangerbears Dangerbears
Wisconsin
Posts: 6,021
Website

Thanks very much, Teeej, Katy, and Heidi!  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

I like that he came out only about 50% realistic (and the rest is all teddy bear :)).

Becky

Conni Germany
Posts: 1,794

Great work, Becky! He is a good bear with a nice character.

dinimm Melbourne
Posts: 44

He looks great Becky. Must have taken awhile to stuff!

dangerbears Dangerbears
Wisconsin
Posts: 6,021
Website

Thank you, Conni and Di, and yes - everything took awhile with this bear! bear_grin

Becky

Fairybear Wagga Wagga
Posts: 346

WOW how clever are you!!! He looks great. :clap:  :clap:

dangerbears Dangerbears
Wisconsin
Posts: 6,021
Website

Aww...Thank you, Leanne!  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

For anyone who wants to see the real Kermode, here is a terrific online photo album: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/ … hotography

Becky

wubbiebear Braille Teddies
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Posts: 671

Becky, I think your bear needs a big squuz.

dangerbears Dangerbears
Wisconsin
Posts: 6,021
Website

That he does, Wubbie! bear_grin

Becky

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