The sphinx is a creature with a human head and the body of a lion. Rooted in Egyptian mythology, it has been depicted throughout history in a variety of forms. Creating a sand sculpture of this famous icon is a great way to challenge your skills while spending a day at the beach.
Instructions
1. Choose the type of sphinx you want to build. Find pictures through the Internet or at your local library. The most famous is the Great Sphinx at Giza, but it's face lacks detail. The Egyptian sphinxes have the head of a pharaoh, while the European ones often feature the bust of a young woman. Those from Greece and Southeast Asia tend to have more exotic and often demonic features.
2. Draw a sketch of your sphinx, showing both a side and front view. Determine the size you want to build. Notate the dimensions on your drawing.
3. Pick a spot far enough from the shore to avoid encroaching water but close enough that you can easily dig down to the water table. Fine, silty sand makes the best building material.
4. Lay out your site. Mark off a rectangle the length and width of your sculpture. Dig a trench outside of this space deep enough to find water. Stir up the sand and water, mixing it into a heavy slurry.
5. Scoop the wet sand onto your building area, using your hands, a shovel or a bucket. Build a wall for the body and a tower for the head. Work as if you're stacking bricks, broad at the base and tapering slightly as you go up so it doesn't collapse. Pat the sand into shape with your hands, allowing the excess water to ooze out.
6. Carve the rough outline of your sphinx. Work on both the body and the head, keeping an eye on proportion. Gradually work in more detail. Refer back to your drawings for guidance. If your sand begins to dry out, moisten it with a spray bottle, or by spattering water from a wet paint brush.
Tags: want build, your hands, your sphinx