this is the ben guide of the lost wax process, it's been around for centuries (bronze from the greek era are still around) and the system is still basically the same. the base is wax
So , you start with a project, like in this case is a little
figure very basic, this is a direct wax , wich means is unique
(only one) so, with more work than imagination
i start to add some muscles , more body,
and after some work it begins to shape more
like this.
this figures are very free, not too much
detail, it's possible to make duplicates if
a rubber mold is made, the number of pieces in an edition varies.
after the wax is retouched and
finished, the piece has to be gated,
all is made of wax (what now is wax , is
going to be bronze) this part is very important
after that , the piece is ready
for the dipping room. where the wax is covered
with silica sand ,ceramic like , is another part of
process, the wax has to be very
carefully dipped to register every
detail.
remember the wax is still in there
next, it comes the part where the wax goes
away, in a sense (because it can be saved)
the piece goes in a kiln, where the heat
is going to make the wax leave the shell.
the kiln
after the wax is out the shells now
look like this
just before the pouring , the shells need to be prepared
by warming them in the same kiln of the wax , this is so
when the metal is poured into them , there is no thermal
shock, by now the metal has to be ready to pour , this is
liquid , about 1200-1300 farenheit. liquid bronze
now the pouring has to be very careful , each piece has to be
cast with precision, after it has to cool about one hour, the piece
can be clenaed, means break the shell and you can see the metal
now comes the best part , cleaning , cutting,
welding, sanding. it's fun.
now the finishing (patina)
there's no limit it's applied
heat and acids to make colours
this Alan Osborne artiste
the rest is presentation
base, et voila!