A model of a Emperor Dragonfly, 1:3 scale. Made using sculpting methods, hand painting, CAD, 3D printing and resin work. This piece was made as a museum diorama, to show the anatomy of a dragonfly.

1st Model

Animals & Creatures

A 3:1 model of an Emperor Dragonfly. Made for a museum, to show anatomy.

An anatomically correct and accurate representation model of an Emperor dragonfly.

The wings are traced from a picture of a dragonfly wing, so is anatomically correct. They were then 3D printed and coated in resin.

3:1 Emperor Dragonfly model made for educational purposes. A museum model made to show the anatomy of an Emperor Dragonfly.

Before starting the model, I researched dragonflies in depth and sketched them repeatedly to ensure I understood the insect and their anatomy. I used wire and foil to make support for the body, which I then covered in Milliput. The Milliput was then sculpted and sanded, then hand painted with acrylic paints. The head followed the same process. The legs were made from wire covered with Milliput, with extra sculpted detail and acrylic paint. The wings were 3D printed - I traced real dragonfly wings in Rhino, and then 3D printed these. I then added a very thin layer of resin, which fell between the 'veins' of the wings, creating little concave shapes or 'bubbles'.

2nd Model

Exhibition & Display

A model of Toynbee Fountain - a recently restored historical monument. 1:20 scale, made for Heritage of London advertising purposes.

A 1:30 animation background model, showing a revolutionary community.

The graffiti tunnel, displaying revolutionary slogans and Che Gevara. Also a miniature jam stand.

The clothes swap- made with wire, scraps of fabric, beads, and reused scraps of fabric for clothes. I used cracked mirror from an old makeup palette too.

I begun the make of this model by creating an accurate 3D computer model, using photogrammetry. Using this, i could scale down the fountain and print my reference photos. I also took the base of the fountain taps from the 3D model and resin printed these, after making them flat in Rhino.
I laser cut the basic layers of the fountain from acrylic, working on only one face of the fountain. I then built on this basic shape with Milliput to add the tiny details. I made the basin out of Chemiwood, which i shaped using bandsaws and sanding machines.
Once I was happy with the likeness of the fountain face, i moulded this first face, casted in fast cast four times and stuck these faces together, making the joins invisible with sanding and Milliput. I then moulded this full pieces, and casted it in Jesmonite using a pressure pot to extract air bubbles. I made a twisted wire tree and attached it to a painted MDF base.

3rd Model

A stop-motion set background made to present themes of revolution and rebellion.

A 1:20 model of a fountain, made for the Heritage of London charity for advertising and marketing purposes.

Scaled down using photogrammetry. The small details at the base of the tap were resin printed.

The model was moulded and casted - with silicone and then Jesmonite. Cured in a pressure cooker.

I started my model by creating the layout of the buildings. I sketched, painted, and made mock-ups out of foam, CAD, cardboard and finally paper mache. Once I finalized my floorplan, I created the shapes of the houses and pillars out of Chemiwood foam, which I sanded and shapes into curved, organic shapes that fitted together. I completed these forms using filler and Milliput. I then covered the houses in a sand, plaster, and PVA layer to create texture, which i then painted brown with both cellulose and acrylic.
I then started on installing lights - which were tiny singular LED's, and strip lights. I ed these through the houses and soldered them all together.
To make the windows, I laser cut the shapes of the window holes, and then carefully vacuum formed PET through these shapes.
For the décor, I used a lot of textiles - utilizing machine sewing, hand sewing and beading techniques. I also did a lot of wirework, and even some spot welding for the bikes.

Gallery

Model of a dead rat, made for a theatre production for my work experience at The Royal Opera House.

1:30 model of a soundsystem. An accurate model representing real components. Laser cut card and worked metal.

A sun tapestry made for an art show fundraiser. I used machine sewing, hand sewing, embroidery and beading.

A model of a snake Viking water flask, sculpted and the moulded and casted. Made to be a film prop.

An architectural surrealism model, based on Wenzel Hablik’s drawing. Using mostly 3d printing and laser cutting techniques.

Spray painting and detail painting for key for the look of the ceiling piece. The perspective angle was challenging but enjoyable.

A model of a Emperor Dragonfly, 1:3 scale. Made using sculpting methods, hand painting, CAD, 3D printing and resin work. This piece was made as a museum diorama, to show the anatomy of a dragonfly.

Mya Todd-Mir

Arts University Bournemouth

BA (Hons) Modelmaking

Stand: 67
Graduation: 2026

I specialise in making organic models from natural inspiration. I live doing detail work like hand painting and miniatures, and have a passion for sculpting. My favourite part of studying modelmaking is the variation of skills I have learnt, from textiles to CAD. I would love to find a job that nurtures this variation, and works with communities.

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