This contract was a challenge for us, which is not rejected. To make 3 busts of a pilot based on a photo for which the world-famous Czech photographer Martin Stranka received an award comparable in photography to the Oscar.
Assignment:
Make 3 busts of bronze based on the photo.
The bust also includes birds that needed to be cast separately and then welded to the bust.
Bust size around 30 cm.
The resulting patina for each bust is a little different. One bust in pure bronze natural color, the other 2 bust in black-gray graphite color and one dark bust will have a gilded visor.
Pattern
Technology:
Based on the photo, we created a 3D model, which we then printed on a 3D printer.
We used the printed model as a pattern for the bronze casting.
We applied silicone to the 3D printed model.
Then we created a plaster club to strengthen the silicone.
Once the hull was finished, we removed the 3D printed model and created a hollow silicone mold. We used this for a wax hollow model.
The wax model prepared for casting and began to soak in a special slurry and cast essential oil. The resulting shell mold is suitable for firing and then for casting with bronze.
The slurry and silica are applied repeatedly for one week.
A wax positive is burned from the finished mold to form a hollow mold.
The fired mold is ready to be cast in bronze.
We cast in one day. It is necessary to reach a temperature of around 1200 degrees in the oven and then cast the whole bust once (around 40 kg of bronze).
After pouring and cooling, we can break the bust and then clean it from the shell. Large pieces are easy to break. However, small remnants of details are removed for at least 3 days.
The bronze bust is cleaned and roughly polished.
The chiselling itself can take up to 2 weeks, depending on the details and complexity.
This is followed by polishing and then welding of other parts.
Final wax polishing.
Other busts are followed by patination on dark and then the addition of wax (here the client requires a matte appearance).
We handed over the busts to the client who exhibited them at his photo exhibition: Breath .
Photos from the exhibition
More articles on bronze casting
- Bronze bust to order: Masaryk
- Bronze bust production - Viking Halfdan
- Bronze casting: Step by step
- Bronze casting: Bust of a character from the game - Kratos
Are you interested in a bronze casting? We are an art foundry . Contact us at info@futlab.cc .
