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Teddybears Sweden
I have always wanted to make a realistic bear and I finally had the guts to make one! I had no clue how to do a double jointed neck and have never used more then 5 joints in a bear, so a bear like this who in the end got 12 joints is much for me!
It took me a while (and a few sleepless nights 
) to figure out how to make a workable pattern!
Anywooo, I'm not satisfied at all with the result cause he doesn't look that realistic to me, just like a.. eh... teddybear! 
How do you guys make a teddybear look realistic? I just couldn't figure out how to make the face look real. What materials do you use? I did only use fake suede, and fimo for the nose.... *run out of ideas*
Teddybears SwedenOoops... I was suppose to put this topic under "teddybear making"! Sorry...hm... I wonder how I change that... 
he is great!
hugs Kerren 
Chaska, Minnesota
Jennie: Your bear it cute. I like him. If you want more of a realistic bear, I say study pictures and begin to sketch them out. Cut patterns pieces that fit what the shapes of a real bear would be. Like they have flatter chins, longer noses, wider heads. Also, look at the areas where there is muscle. That is where you want to body sculpt. Though I am not an expert, I did take a class by Dennis Shaw. He is known for his realistic bears. So what you are seeing is the bear I made from his class. I think he has a pattern in one of the teddy bear books that may be helpful. I would have to do some digging to find it.
Michelle
Teddybears SwedenThank you Michelle! And your bears is just amazing!!! I wish I could do such a realistic bear too but I'm sort of stuck in the teddybear hole 
OOh, Please please pretty please see if you can find the pattern you talked about!! 
LuxembearsBoth of your bears are really SUPER! I love realsitic bears.
Jennie, for a first try at realistic you did not only a fantastic job but he has your influence in his look. :clap: :clap: :clap:
Michelle :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: Great job!
I go for a touch of teddy bear in my realistic look. Here is Denali, a brand new design. I have a few others that are new also...just not pictured yet.
Actually I took off this bears nose and gave him a new one....which I don't have a photo of yet but it is nicer than the one in the photo.
Denali is about 21" tall and has a double jointed neck, which is made of the contrast color alpaca and is not visible in the picture, and armature.
I have not yet made my ideal bear...but I am progressively getting there.
I would to see some more bears...please post your photos.
BrisbaneJenny I think he is wonderful....you have done a great job!!!
Teddybears SwedenOh Judi, seeing your bear makes me wanna throw my out the window!! He is just maganific!!
I had so much trouble with the neck, I put it soo wrong (my bear looks like a camel from the behind! ). I guess that the neck should start more from the front of the body.
And how do I get the eyes to sink in? I couldn't come up with any ideas so I just did some needle sculpting and then glue some suede as eye lids.
Also, I think I need to try some needle felting...it seems like it is very useful to get expressions in your bears. The question is... how do I start?
Many questions here! 
Real Deal BearsOh Jennie, I don't care how you wanted him to turn out, I think he is absolutely georgous.
I love him just the way he is 
But I know how frustrating it can be having something in your mind and trying to get it the way you picture it.
Sometimes though, you over look what you have actually achieved
Luxembearsseeing your bear makes me wanna throw my out the window!!
Many questions here! :P
Your bear is magnificent! :hug: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: One of the very best I have seen. I honestly mean it!
You need to keep going with these I have a feeling you're onto something really big.
You did a very effective job on the eyes. If you do want to sink them deeper then I would try presculpting deeply into the head and from various angles as to take up some of the tension so you won't get intendtations at the back of the head. Then set the eyes.
But heck...I don't think you need to change a thing.
I love your bear.
Matilda Huggington-beareWell said Christine I totally agree with you one very point
Jennie your bear is absolutely fabulous :clap:
JUDI!! You have left me speechless. :clap: :clap:
LuxembearsBut I know how frustrating it can be having something in your mind and trying to get it the way you picture it.
Sometimes though, you over look what you have actually achieved :)
Oh I agree 100%.
Sometimes I just walk away from a bear that I have been working on for a while so when I see the bear again...I get a new "first impression" and I think that is very poweful and helpful.
When you work from your heart you can't go wrong.
Posts: 3,540 I think you've done a wonderful job! Especially for your first try. I've never done a realistic bear, but I've studied the grizzly bears at the zoo, noticing how incredibly different they are from my teddy bears. Obviously the hump, but the head is completely different, the forehead is amazingly broad on a real bear, and their eyes so incredibly tiny in proportion to their heads. My bears tend to have huge eyes anyways. But on a real one, the difference stands out. Also their noses....they have such huge noses
I've never done the double jointed neck, but like others have said, yours is a truly lovely bear, and it does show your artistic style, especially in his face. Please don't chuck him out! But maybe step back, and make a new one, altering things from your first bear. Perhaps on the next one, change the way the neck is... or the nose. I'm sure one step at a time, and each time you'll get closer to your ideal :hug:
Chaska, MinnesotaOh Jennie, I found the pattern book for you. Denis Shaw has a pattern for a polar bear in it. the book is called "American Teddy Bear Artists Pattern Book" by Linda Mullins. I think you can get some super ideas in there right down to those wonderful paw pads....
Really, you bear is great. It shows your style which is so important. I love the eyes.
And Judi: your bear is just perfection. It is so wonderful...the details are phenomenal!!
Michelle
Teddybears SwedenYeah, I guess I have to put my brown bear in a dark corner for a week or two and then take him out in the light again! I agree, sometimes you REALLY need a new first impression!
I will definitly try and make another bear and change the things I don't like. Peeew.... it's gonna be a lot of work... 
Bears by JodiGreat job every one , sorry I don't have a sample !! My bears are kinda cartoonie , whemsicle , haven't tried a live looking bear yet But you guys did really great every one
