My Process Creating
Here’s a look at my process in photos, documenting a recent project of mine.
First I sculpt the portrait in clay.
In the case of this project, I sculpted the bust entirely from a photo.
![](https://custombronzeportraits.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/custom-bronze-bust-process-1-clay.jpg)
Next the foundry that I work with makes a mold of the sculpted clay bust.
![](https://custombronzeportraits.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/custom-bronze-bust-process-2-mold.jpg)
![](https://custombronzeportraits.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/custom-bronze-bust-process-2b-mold.jpg)
Here’s the mold beside the original clay sculpture.
![](https://custombronzeportraits.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/custom-bronze-bust-process-3-mold-next-to-clay.jpg)
Next the wax is burned out of the shell – now ready to receive bronze.
![](https://custombronzeportraits.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/custom-bronze-bust-process-4-wax-burned-out-ready-to-receive-bronze.jpg)
Melting the wax out of the shells.
![](https://custombronzeportraits.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/custom-bronze-bust-process-5a-heated-bronze.jpg)
Pouring the bronze in the shells.
![](https://custombronzeportraits.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/custom-bronze-bust-process-5b-bronze-pour-into-mold.jpg)
Here the shells are ready for the bronze pour.
![](https://custombronzeportraits.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/custom-bronze-bust-process-5-bronze-poured-in-mold.jpg)
Once cooled- the shell is hammered away to reveal the bronze.
![](https://custombronzeportraits.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/custom-bronze-bust-process-6-shell-hammered-away.jpg)
Now the bronze is cleaned up and prepared for patina, or the process of giving the bronze its beautiful and iconic finish.
![](https://custombronzeportraits.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/custom-bronze-bust-process-8-patina.jpg)
![](https://custombronzeportraits.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/custom-bronze-bust-process-7-patina.jpg)
And the patina is applied.
![](https://custombronzeportraits.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/custom-bronze-bust-process-9-patina.jpg)
![Patina applied to bronze portrait bust](https://custombronzeportraits.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/custom-bronze-bust-process-10-patina.jpg)
Whew! There you have it – the finished custom bronze portrait.
![finished custom bronze portrait by Stephanie Hunter](https://custombronzeportraits.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/custom-bronze-bust-process-11-finished-portrait.jpg)
Got questions or comments?
Send me an email: [email protected]