Leaping into Forever

Celebrating a special friend the beginnings of his portrait sculpture

This is the key image we shall be working towards.
First stages, the making of the armature support and study of his images. Soaking in all that character and energy.

Supporting steel rod and base frame wire

Addition of supporting wires for legs and tail.

They are kept extra long intentionally - we need to build out the body, before the legs can come down in their right place and length. Don't be confused by the extra number of legs! You can see the extras are twisted round to provide more strength to the tops of the legs.

Using the key image as a backdrop to check  the progress

Early build up of the first clay

All the clay and armature must fit within the final profile.

Even with this type of clay it is good to let it settle. 

More time to study the character, conformation and musculature of the wonderful original.

Change to the position of the head - now a slight turn as in the image

Here the view of the head, turned. You can also see the depth of chest developing

This is a view slightly from the rear to show the turn of the head

The paws and tail wire are all covered now and ready for work.

The head is a little high, but that will be changed as work on the head begins

Here we are below, head adjusted and the muscles of back and flank added.

Ready now for the final details

Ears sketched on and paws ready for their detail, the lovely depth of chest and elegant strength of neck. His collar sketched in.

Using pins in key places to map the pose and the legs.

You can see the start of the base to hold the sculpture

The eyes are in, love those ears and work started on the face - teeth and nose next

Rear view developing the muscles

Study of muscles, skeleton and movement of hounds

Next more work on the legs and paws

Visit to the clients to gain advice and insight as to the details and the character of their lovely dog.

Intense sessions to continue with details and to make sure the pose and character are what the clients look for

Great Help

 from those who knew this  super dog best

More scissor action look to the spring of the back legs - leaping from a running gait

That collar with its stitching is on  now and the buckle worked in

more to be done on tongue, teeth and toes!

details of the almond eyes and focused look

More and more work on paws

muscle tone improved and details of the pose finalised

The whole surface has been worked over again and again - and this will keep happening until the finish and details are achieved

Here a comparison of the key image and a similar view of the sculpture

The next few sessions will be spent on the fine details of the paws and areas not so easily seen - inside legs  - with checks over the whole surface.

Teeth in place and the ears made finer

Fine details made to the paws

A slide show of the final clay sculpture of Carlos

Leaping into Forever

Here the show of the Bronze Dog Leaping Into Forever  

Sculpture Commissions Cast in Bronze

For your own artwork,  to achieve a detailed sculpture portrait likeness, contact the Sculptress JOEL at the Tenon Studio and discuss your own special project .

Little Owl Bronze

Portrait of a Little Owl  being taken through the process from mould to wax and to be cast into lost wax Bronze
This is the sculpture we are aiming for

The Little Owl Bronze 

by JOEL 

Helping raise awareness of the need for Nature Conservation

 

Here the original in Clay

 

The Mould of the Little Owl Sculpture

Close up view of Front mould

 

 

Close up view of Little Owl Sculpture Mould

 

The wax  Little Owl Poured

 

Side view, showing the runner below the breast - this will help take the Bronze into the Little Owl on casting

 

 

 

Front View of the Little Owl Wax on the post

 

 

I really like the rear view of this special Little Owl

Feathers slightly ruffled up - in a relaxed happy pose.

Once all the details have been checked and finished, and the talons and beak added - the wax will have the investment mould built up on it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sculpture portrait project - the making of a working Cocker Spaniel portrait sculpture

Another secret  Birthday surprise - for a special person and a special day - here we have the images of a beautiful young dog, a working Cocker Spaniel - following all the process from first images to final cast....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Such a beautiful expression to capture

Elegant athletic  neck - attentive pose

Just the right lift of head

 Intelligent expression and listening ear

neat nose and muzzle of the working Cocker Spaniel

"Such a beautiful, intelligent and responsive Cocker Spaniel  - I am excited to be working on her sculpture portrait " The Sculptress JOEL

The steel rod and base board have been assembled

First armature wire fixed and filled

Clay built up to the 'Meerkat' stage

Now for the long build up to be ready for the first sitting

Excuse the watermark - here the progress

working up the line under the chin, and up towards the top line 

 Working the width out towards the outer eyeline

How things look from above at this stage

Look at the difference the eyes make - only sketched in at this stage

 Love the beginnings of the nose

Now looking towards the neck line  and width

Working on the widths across the face and cheeks and  - how the ears make the image come on

Now the rear view  to show the development that has happened

Not only a dog - but the look of the Lovely Girl



 Now the long haul of adding smaller  detail

The little details  of face and ear hair

 Here the view from above and the characteristic curve of the brow

 Last details of hair and fine details to the nose -  - lit differently at the studio

Her little bit of hair on the head - unique

Wonderful times with the Cocker Spaniel, and so much help from her owner... then onwards to the mould maker and the foundry

Above is the comparison

Below the mould and its two halves

details of inside of the mould

Following the sculpture in wax

The wax showing details  clearly

Next stage the addition of sprues and build up of the investment mould ready for the casting process

And all done and mounted on a slate stone base