The Casting Process: Foundry Bronze

1. Cob horse sculpture armature in copper wire
2. Modelling wax is applied to the armature to create the sculpture, stage 1
3. Cob horse sculpture modelling, stage 1/1
4. Cob horse sculpture modelling, stage 1/2
5. Cob horse sculpture modelling, 2/1
6. Cob horse sculpture modelling, stage final 1
7. Cob horse sculpture modelling, final 2
8. A rubber silicon mould is taken from the sculpture
9. A hollow casting wax positive is taken from the mould
10a. The wax sculpture is cut into sections and wax runners for pouring the molten bronze are fixed to the sculpture
10b. The wax sculpture is cut into sections and wax runners for pouring the molten bronze are fixed to the sculpture
11a. Ceramic shell is put over the wax model to form a hot cast mould
11b. Ceramic shell is put over the wax model and inside to form a hot cast mould
11c. Ceramic shell is put over the wax model and inside to form a hot cast mould
12. The wax is melted out and the hot molten bronze poured into the cavity through the runners
13. Once cooled down, the ceramic shell is chipped away from the bronze cast
14. The bronze cast is cleaned up and the sections welded back together
15. The cast is prepared for patination, the chemical colouring that gives it the tradional bronze look
16. The piece is patinated.
17. Finished Bronze Sculpture