Quite a bit of work has been done this weekend. All ceramic dips have been completed, and the firing has happened, hardening the once-yellow shell into a white finished mould, ready for patching and then finally, casting. Here is a step by step journey from the end of the dips to just before the bronze pour.
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| After the final dip, the top is cracked open to expose wax sculpture. The mould is then placed in a kiln where the wax is melted out. This leaves an empty mold ready for the bronze to be poured. |
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| Before... |
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| ...and after! |
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| After melting the wax out of the mould, this is what is left. Inside, there is a negative of the original sculpture. The bronze is poured into this empty shell and takes on the shape of the wax that once was! (**) |
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| Is that what I think it is? |
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| Yes! It's Archie's back leg! I knew it! |
**But before that happens...
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| After the mold is fired, cracks appear on the surface of the mould. They need to be patched with cement to avoid breaks during the casting process. How anxiety ridden... |
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| The final shot... |
And that's everything! Tomorrow the bronze will be poured and shortly after he will be cracked out of the mould and ready for metal finishing and patina! Samples will be posted alongside the unfinished piece. Stay tuned!
This is so excitng and nerve-wracking I may not be able to sleep tonight.....i should maintain a vigil on McCaul overnight.....better get a sleeping bag z z
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