Bronze Casting: How Are Bronze Sculptures Made?

1. Bronze Casting: How Are Bronze SculpturesMade? CASWELLSCULPTURE

2. To explain how our artwork is made, we have documented the creation process for our monumental sculpture.TheyBred Good Horses instal ed at the American Quarter Horse Association’sheadquarters

3. Every sculpture starts withan inspiration and design in our minds. Step 1: Inspiration As an artist team, we areunique in our process because we see the same vision together, and can work as one artist to approachprojects.

4. Step 2: Sculpting in Clay We begin the creation process by working with models and reference to start theclay work. We will create a “bone structure” or armature, either made of wire or foam to support theclay. In preparation for the casting process,this piece was cut into multiple sections that were individually molded andcast.

5. Step 3: Makingthe Mold To create a mold for the sculpture, we appliedliquidsilicon rubber to each section of the clay piece. The moldswecreate are “walnut shell” concepts, so they are comprisedof2 halves separated by a seam. Molds are usedtoduplicate sculptures in a limited edition and will be destroyed oncethe full edition has beencast.

6. Step 4: Creating a Wax Patern After we removed the original clay sculpture from the rubber mold, we heated wax to approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit and poured it into the rubber mold, creating a thincoating.

7. Step 5: Creating the GatingSystem • After we chased the wax, we engineered a gating system to provide channels for molten bronze to travel. We used wax sprues, or branches, and attached them to the wax pattern. Each wax needs tohave its own unique gatingsystem.

8. Step 6: Creating a CeramicMold Once we created thegatedwax “tree,”weinvesteditinaceramicshell.

9. Step 7: Burning out theWax • Once the ceramic molds dried and cured, we placed them in our foundry’s burnout oven and melted the wax. The hollow cavities and channels act as arteries to carry the molten bronzeto each sectionwithin theshells.

10. Step 8: Pouring the Bronze • Three of our crew members are generally involved in the pour metal pour. The third member keeps the surface of the molten bronze clear of any impurities or slag. Teamwork amongst the three is essential forthe safety and success of thepour.

11. Step 9: Welding theBronze Three of our crew members are generally involved in the pour metal pour. The third member keeps the surface of themolten bronze clear of any impurities or slag. Teamwork amongst the three is essential for the safety and success of thepour.

12. Step 10: Applying thePatina The process of applying coloration to bronze sculpture is called “patina.” It is a chemical reaction between the surface of the bronze and a variety of metal salts.As it melts, the wax seals the metal’s pores and, once cooled, several morelayers are applied by hand and buffed to give the sculpture is final luster.

13. Step 11: Instaling theSculpture Installing a sculpture as always an emotional experience, and a bronze will exist for generations into the future. They Bred Good Horses now sits proudly in front of the American Quarter Horse Association’s headquarters in Amarillo, TX and will forever tell the story of the Bell family’s love for one another and the American quarterhorse.

14. Caswel Sculpture Learnhowbronzestatuesaremadeinthisblogaboutbronze casting.BronzesculptureprocessiscalledLostWaxcasting.

15. Get intouch For questions, comments andsuggestions EMAIL info@caswellsculpture.com WEBSITE caswellsculpture.com PHONENUMBER (503)502-7756