This mini is very much based on the Orkney Venus (or Westray Wife), which is a small Neolithic figure found on Westray, Orkney, Scotland, in 2009. It is the earliest depiction of a face found in the United Kingdom. It dates to around 3800 BC – 2500 BC, measures 4 centimetres in height, and is carved from sandstone. My version, on the other hand, is a lot smaller!
![](https://usethesprue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1000009612-01_copy_758x762.jpg)
![](https://usethesprue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1000009614-01_copy_705x705.jpg)
![SPRUE DUDE no27: The Orkney Venus!](https://usethesprue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1000009615-01_copy_769x769.jpg)
To make it, I simply glued six pieces of sprue together, then went to town by carving the shape out with a knife. To finish, I engraved the eyes, eyebrows, and nose, then scratched a few other lines to give it some additional texture.
![](https://usethesprue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Use-the-Sprue-Orkney-Venus-3-WEB.jpg)
![](https://usethesprue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Use-the-Sprue-Orkney-Venus-5-WEB.jpg)
![SPRUE DUDE no27: The Orkney Venus!](https://usethesprue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Use-the-Sprue-Orkney-Venus-4-WEB.jpg)
To paint it, I based-coated it in a stoney yellow colour, then gave it a brighter yellow drybrush. I finished by giving it a dark wash to bring out the features.
![SPRUE DUDE no27: The Orkney Venus!](https://usethesprue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Use-the-Sprue-Orkney-Venus-2-WEB-1024x512.jpg)
I think I’ll maybe use this one as an objective marker where if you have it in your possession it gives you a special power!
If you want to find out a little bit more about the original figure click here: Figurine; 3800 BC-2500 BC; Neolithic; Links of Noltland | HES (historicenvironment.scot)
Or if you missed the first prehistoric figure I made, click on the link to see where I recreated an Iron Age idol that was found in a bog!