After putting together last week’s prototype, I felt as though I wanted to make a few improvements on the joints, so I designed my own 3d printed ball and socket joints that wouldn’t fall out.

After reprinting a few missing pieces, I could start to assemble the entire articulated figure I’ve been designing from scratch, and paint the face.

For weeks now, I’ve been chipping away at designing an articulated figure of myself. I’ve finally gotten to the point of printing a prototype, and I’m amazed at the results so far.

It might seem strange to talk about a week’s work in terms of where I’ve been – or not been – but self-isolation has given me a few insights into things I’ve never examined before.

The internet is awash with questions like, “can I do lino printing with oil paint?” and, “why not?”, and all the bargaining in between, because to the uninitiated, all coloured pigments look as if they’ll do the same things.

Most of the questions I get from my friends about art materials have to do with whether they can just use the paint they’ve already got as a substitute for whatever they want to try. Sorry, but no.