Finished Dog/Monkey

Here are the final stages of the wax to bronze transformation sculpture project. There are 2 other earlier postings showing the progress of the wax and then onto bronze, if you'd like to see those first for the entire process: http://bornagainartist.blogspot.com/2007/10/transformation-wax-sculpture.html and http://bornagainartist.blogspot.com/2007/12/bronze-progress-dogmonkey.html

This is the sculpture of my dog Kura on one side and a monkey on the other side, back-to-back and sleeping peacefully. For now it's titled, "Kura-Monkey". Weighing in at about 14 lbs., 6.5 oz. by itself, it measures at about 10 1/2 inches long x 6 1/2 inches wide x 3 1/4 high...looking at the longest/widest/highest points.

This is a very special piece for me and I took A LOT of time on it at all the stages. It was a challenge to sculpt (as wax) and also creating my concept of only seeing one animal at a time and being surprised by the other as it was seen from different angles. You can see what I mean by all the camera angles I used to photograph it. To only see one animal at a time, it must be viewed at eye level looking straight at it. Later, I had to do a lot of touch ups and surface corrections when it came back as bronze...grinding, polishing, sandblasting, having someone weld trouble spots for me more than once, more grinding, more sandblasting, more polishing, and even got my own Dremel rotary tool set and attachments in the process for the smaller details and narrow spots.

(Don't forget...you can click on any image to enlarge, then hit your back button to return back to this page)


Inspiration:
I have always loved monkeys and when looking on the internet, found this fantastic adorable image. And, of course my sweet dog Kura (I took all of her photos).




















Using power tools to grind, smoothe out, and make any corrections:

The next photo was taken after using one of the tools, which leaves a polished finish. However, this is not fully polished since it was intended for correcting the surface and some areas are not polished. This won't be the final finish of the surface. Though it looks beautiful and like gold! This metal would change colors though as it oxidizes.
Sandblasted finish to check surface, even out, and prep for patina:Bronze will naturally have a patina over time by exposure to air and elements in the atmosphere. We apply patina with chemicals to speed up the process and to achieve the look we want. Different chemicals have different reactions, so they result in different colors. Also, some are room temperature, while most work with heat (by using the torch). This process is very unpredictable and can be redone after a run through the sandblaster. I spent a lot of time my first run and was satisfied with the results, so didn't have to try again. I had fun doing this. Though the torch isn't comfortable to hold and I was gripping for a while when doing this, so hand was shakey afterwards.

First patina - room temperature - dip into "Liver of Sulpher" (smells like rotten eggs). Had I left it in longer, it would eventually turn black. I chose to pull it out at this purpley color and since I continued with other patinas on top:
The patina booth! A ventilated booth for the torch on the right and chemicals:
VERRRRRY HOTTTTT!!!!






After it cooled and cold wax was applied, it was then buffed. This is to preserve the current patina, which adds a little shine and darkens it a bit as if wet. Wax can also be applied when the metal is still hot, but has darker results than if cold. I wanted to preserve the colors I had as much as possible.

THE FINAL RESULT! :)
I also made the wooden box stand it is on - except for cutting the wood.
(Don't forget...you can click on any image to enlarge, then hit your back button to return back to this page):