PANTAGRUEL a new design for a raccoon

I've been thinking of a new design for a raccoon since the summer. I wanted a body shape as realistic as possible, and I have toyed with the idea of a 'no joints' design for some time now.
I finally decided to pluck up the courage to try it 'on fur', and I must say that my long and careful thinking has done the deal.
Pantagruel has wire bones in his arms, legs, back and tail. He can be arranged in many natural positions and the absence of joints give him a very realistic look. I have enjoyed working on this new project, and I think I will apply what I have learned to other animal designs.
Another thing that I have enjoyed very much was the felt slice of cake. I must thank Pinterest for the great inspiration it has provided, with so many pictures of 'felt food' to give me ideas!
So, this is my latest raccoon, a very big 16 inches boy, Pantagruel!
Pantagruel is now up for adoption here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181556969385?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Mr Wigglesworth - BABY RACCOON

I am working hard to keep to my schedule. I have just finished taking the last pictures of Mr Wigglesworth, a sweet custom made baby raccoon. I am very proud of this little one. He is now sitting on a shelf right above me, and he really has a sweet endearing face.

He is really fun to pose as he can move his head up and down and sideways. His arms and tail can also bend. He can sit, half stand and be on all fours. I'm a bit sad that he will be leaving so soon to meet his new mommy!
Thank you Keally!

SILVER - a young raccoon

This is Silver, another raccoon. I love doing raccoons, and every time I make one, he comes out with his own personality! This is a real dreamer, I just wouldn't know how else to describe him!

SILVER is adopted, thank you!

ASH, baby raccoon

His name is ASH. Now that he has a starry felt blanket and a name, he is ready to travel the world!
I really had fun posing him!
More pictures.

What's there in the box?

...a starry felt blanket!

....inspecting it...

...it's comfortable to sit on...

...to stand on...

...to lie on...

...isn't it cool to own such a blanket?

He loves it!

...he really, really loves it!!!!

Ash has been adopted, thank you!

Sweet baby raccoon is born today!

I have finished my little baby raccoon today. He is such a sweet fellow, I had some fun holding and cuddling him....

I will be sewing a felt blanket for him. I think he will be available for adoption after the Week-end!

I haven't decided on a name yet....

Raccoon head - WIP

I have taken photos of my work in progress on the baby raccoon face

Side view

Front view

First of all I have put position eyes on the head. It is not a definitive position, but it is very helpful to define the rest of the face.

Then,  I have marked with pins the area that needs to be shaved to leave place for the needle felting.

I cut the fur from that area.

I start doing the needle felting.

A partially needle felted muzzle

Still with a felt position nose

The next step is to draw and sew his ears. I tend to do it at this stage as I have noticed that I need to have a partially done face to draw the ears.

Now that he has ears, I sew them on and place his real eyes.

 I needle felt around his eyes to give him eye sockets.

 He now needs a real nose. Before that, I have also embroidered his mouth, following the needle felted indentation. To see how I do my polymer clay noses, see my tutorials here:
MY TUTORIALS

now he has a 'real' polymer clay nose!

It is now time for the real fun....his make up! without it, he wouldn't be a raccoon at all!

I might have to give some final touches, but he is really quite finished.....it was fun!