As described in the last post about how to create a bronze sculpture, the process of creating a sculpture from inspiration to creation is multi-faceted.
Once the clay sculpture is complete, the first step in the casting process is to apply liquid rubber to the clay sculpture to create an exact model of the piece. Then, this is covered with a ceramic plaster substance to give it structure. When the rubber hardens, it is removed and what remains is the ceramic mold. Ultimately, the wax is “lost,” which is called the “lost wax method.” You can view a part of this process in the following video:
This method is a long-standing way to create art. Britannica.com describes the lost-wax process:
“The lost-wax process, also called cire-perdue, a method of metal casting in which a molten metal is poured into a mold that has been created by means of a wax model. Once the mold is made, the wax model is melted and drained away. A hollow core can be effected by the introduction of a heat-proof core that prevents the molten metal from totally filling the mold.”
This process is illustrated in the following video:
The site explains that this method is “common on every continent except Australia” and that it “dates from the 3rd millennium BC and has sustained few changes since then.” Using this method provides a great connection to artists who came before me — in some cases, thousands of years before me — as I create art that has the capacity to last for thousands of years into the future!
If you are interested in an original bronze sculpture that will be an heirloom and last into the next millennium and beyond, please review the bronze and crystal sculpture pieces featured on my site. They are available for purchase. Contact me to discuss ordering or visit one of my affiliated galleries.
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