'Skullpture Series - Moose: Gaia' (Bronze Skull - Phase 24) by Shane Wilson (carved bronze antler sculpture)
November 14, 2009 Categories: Gaia
To finish the bronze sculpture is sprayed with two coats of lacquer and protected with two coats of Trewax, lightly buffed between coats.
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
'Skullpture Series - Moose: Gaia' (Bronze Skull - Phase 23) by Shane Wilson (carved bronze antler sculpture)
November 13, 2009 Categories: Gaia
The next patina to be applied is the 'Moroccan Blue', on the base and the lower portion of the moose skull. The principle component of this patina is cupric nitrate and it is applied on the hot, but not too hot, bronze surface.
In this case, I applied the patina with a large round bristle brush and both painted and flicked the patina onto the surface.
The image above shows the cupric applied to the heated bronze.
With cupric nitrate it is important to watch the heat closely so as not to scorch the patina, which would result in a rainbow coloured effect.
The second image shows the same patina after it has been quenched with water.
The metal is then reheated to remove moisture from the bronze, prior to the application of the final patina, a combination of cupric nitrate, ferric nitrate, chromium oxide and yellow ferric oxide, called 'Italian Green.'
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
In this case, I applied the patina with a large round bristle brush and both painted and flicked the patina onto the surface.
The image above shows the cupric applied to the heated bronze.
With cupric nitrate it is important to watch the heat closely so as not to scorch the patina, which would result in a rainbow coloured effect.
The second image shows the same patina after it has been quenched with water.
The metal is then reheated to remove moisture from the bronze, prior to the application of the final patina, a combination of cupric nitrate, ferric nitrate, chromium oxide and yellow ferric oxide, called 'Italian Green.'
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
'Skullpture Series - Moose: Gaia' (Bronze Skull - Phase 22) by Shane Wilson (carved bronze antler sculpture)
November 13, 2009 Categories: Gaia
The final phase of the patination process involves the application of the nitrates and oxides. The first application is of silver nitrate, dabbed on to the hot metal with a round bristle brush. The heat draws the silver nitrate from the brush, creating the ring-like patterns.
The metal is quenched with water to set the silver patina onto the bronze moose skull, then the area is rubbed back with steel wool.
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
The metal is quenched with water to set the silver patina onto the bronze moose skull, then the area is rubbed back with steel wool.
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
'Skullpture Series - Moose: Gaia' (Bronze Skull - Phase 21) by Shane Wilson (carved bronze antler sculpture)
November 13, 2009 Categories: Gaia
Next the surface of the bronze sculpture is rubbed with #1 steel wool and the rougher recesses are scrubbed with a natural bristle brush, exposing a deep steel gray.
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
'Skullpture Series - Moose: Gaia' (Bronze Skull - Phase 20) by Shane Wilson (carved bronze antler sculpture)
November 13, 2009 Categories: Gaia
The bronze is then heated slowly and evenly until hot and the colour begins to change. For a sculpture this size, a propane fired 'Tiger Torch' is advisable, on a lowered setting.
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
'Skullpture Series - Moose: Gaia' (Bronze Skull - Phase 19) by Shane Wilson (carved bronze antler sculpture)
November 13, 2009 Categories: Gaia
When the Birchwood Casey has been allowed to sit on the bronze surface for 30 seconds, it is rinsed off with cold water.
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
'Skullpture Series - Moose: Gaia' (Bronze Skull - Phase 18) by Shane Wilson (carved bronze antler sculpture)
November 13, 2009 Categories: Gaia
The first step in the patination process is to determine the colour and texture of the desired look. A great book, which provides examples of patinas and their recipes, is Patinas for Silicon Bronze by Patrick Kipper.
I have chosen three different patinas for the bronze moose skull and base: 'Moroccan Blue' for the base and the lower portion of the moose skull; 'Italian Marble' for the forehead portion of the moose skull; and, 'Silver' for the mid portion of the moose skull, the raised leaf shape on the forehead and the elongated triangle which joins the base to the skull .
The first step to create these patinas is to spray the entire surface with a solution of Birchwood Casey (gun blueing) diluted 50% with distilled water. This is applied with a spray bottle onto the cold bronze surface.
You can see that the colour goes from a light copper to blue-black almost immediately.
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
I have chosen three different patinas for the bronze moose skull and base: 'Moroccan Blue' for the base and the lower portion of the moose skull; 'Italian Marble' for the forehead portion of the moose skull; and, 'Silver' for the mid portion of the moose skull, the raised leaf shape on the forehead and the elongated triangle which joins the base to the skull .
The first step to create these patinas is to spray the entire surface with a solution of Birchwood Casey (gun blueing) diluted 50% with distilled water. This is applied with a spray bottle onto the cold bronze surface.
You can see that the colour goes from a light copper to blue-black almost immediately.
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
'Self Portrait' (Bronze Wolf Skull - Phase 11) by Shane Wilson
November 14, 2009 Categories: Self Portrait
The final phase of the patination process involves the application of the nitrates and oxides, in this case: cupric nitrate, ferric nitrate, chromium oxide and yellow ferric oxide.
These are applied while the bronze is heated with a propane torch.
To fix the colour the surface is quenched with water, then reheated to remove the water.
To finish the bronze sculpture is sprayed with two coats of lacquer and protected with two coats of Trewax, lightly buffed between coats.
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
These are applied while the bronze is heated with a propane torch.
To fix the colour the surface is quenched with water, then reheated to remove the water.
To finish the bronze sculpture is sprayed with two coats of lacquer and protected with two coats of Trewax, lightly buffed between coats.
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
'Self Portrait' (Bronze Wolf Skull - Phase 10) by Shane Wilson
November 13, 2009 Categories: Self Portrait
Next the surface of the bronze sculpture is rubbed with #1 steel wool and the rougher recesses are scrubbed with a natural bristle brush, exposing a deep steel gray.
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
'Self Portrait' (Bronze Wolf Skull - Phase 9) by Shane Wilson
November 13, 2009 Categories: Self Portrait
The next step is to rinse the bronze sculpture after about 30 seconds then heat the bronze surface slowly and evenly until hot and the colour begins to change.
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
'Self Portrait' (Bronze Wolf Skull - Phase 8) by Shane Wilson
November 13, 2009 Categories: Self Portrait
The first step in the patination process is to determine the colour and texture of the desired look. A great book, which provides examples of patinas and their recipes, is Patinas for Silicon Bronze by Patrick Kipper.
The patina I have chosen for the wolf skull is called 'Italian Marble'. The effect is a dark jade to emerald green over a black base coat. My intention is to reflect the colour of the jade base while retaining a dark undertone to pick up the dark tips of the musk oxen horns.
The first step to create this patina is to spray the surface with a solution of Birchwood Casey (gun blueing) diluted 50% with distilled water. This is applied with a spray bottle onto the cold bronze surface.
You can see that the colour goes from a light copper to blue-black almost immediately.
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
The patina I have chosen for the wolf skull is called 'Italian Marble'. The effect is a dark jade to emerald green over a black base coat. My intention is to reflect the colour of the jade base while retaining a dark undertone to pick up the dark tips of the musk oxen horns.
The first step to create this patina is to spray the surface with a solution of Birchwood Casey (gun blueing) diluted 50% with distilled water. This is applied with a spray bottle onto the cold bronze surface.
You can see that the colour goes from a light copper to blue-black almost immediately.
(moose antler bronze skull carving, moose antler bronze skull sculpture)
'Skullpture Series' (Carving and Patination - Phase 1) by Shane Wilson
September 01, 2005 Categories: Skullpture Series
The designs for each carving are drawn directly onto the raw bronze prior to carving. (2004-2005) The bronzes below are in various states of design and carving, all preliminary. Two of the skulls (small wolverine and grizzly) were finished and patinated without being carved. I decided to change this later and carved both skulls.
(bronze carving, carved bronze sculpture)
'Skullpture Series' (Carving and Patination - Phase 2) by Shane Wilson
August 01, 2007 Categories: Skullpture Series
Using power grinders and carbide burrs, designed for metal work, the designs are carved and the bases are completed using black granite. Following the carving the surface is smoothed with sandpaper, depending on the kind of patination to be applied. (2004-2007)
Below are a selection of images taken during this phase.
Skullpture Series - Seal 2
Skullpture Series - Large Wolverine 1
Skullpture Series - Grizzly 2
Skullpture Series - Human 2
Skullpture Series - Human 1
Skullpture Series - Wolf 2
(bronze carving, carved bronze sculpture)
Below are a selection of images taken during this phase.
Skullpture Series - Seal 2
Skullpture Series - Large Wolverine 1
Skullpture Series - Grizzly 2
Skullpture Series - Human 2
Skullpture Series - Human 1
Skullpture Series - Wolf 2
(bronze carving, carved bronze sculpture)
'Skullpture Series' (Carving and Patination - Phase 3) by Shane Wilson
August 15, 2007 Categories: Skullpture Series
Prior to patination, it is important to clean the surface of the bronze, to remove impurities and any surface oxidation. The most effective way to do this is to sandblast the surface with a fine grit sand. It is important to avoid touching the surface of the bronze with bare hands after this process, as it will pick up oils and create uneven application/oxidization of the patina.
(bronze carving, carved bronze sculpture)
(bronze carving, carved bronze sculpture)
'Skullpture Series' (Carving and Patination - Phase 4) by Shane Wilson
August 16, 2007 Categories: Skullpture Series
The next stage is to apply the base coat, which in this case is an application of Birchwood Casey applied cold and then rinsed. An alternative base coat would be liver of sulphur, also applied cold. Following the rinsing, the bronze is heated to set the base coat and then the whole is rubbed back with steel wool.
(bronze carving, carved bronze sculpture)
(bronze carving, carved bronze sculpture)
'Skullpture Series' (Carving and Patination - Phase 5) by Shane Wilson
August 25, 2007 Categories: Skullpture Series
Finally it is time to apply the patina! There are numerous oxidizing agents available for patination, all lending a unique look and colour to the bronze. I have chosen to use bismuth nitrate (with varying additions of titanium oxide) and silver nitrate for the human skull and some accents on other pieces (eg. wolverine). The patina is also applied by brush, lending a unique, ringed pattern to the finish. The patina is applied to a hot bronze surface, made so with an open flamed torch. Following the application the entire surface is quenched in water and reheated to dry the bronze and set the patina. The pics below show the patination set up and a variety of pieces in various stages of completion. Note the patina seems much whiter than it will appear after the final coat of lacquer is applied.
(bronze carving, carved bronze sculpture)
(bronze carving, carved bronze sculpture)
'Skullpture Series' (Carving and Patination - Phase 6) by Shane Wilson
August 31, 2007 Categories: Skullpture Series
The patina is fragile and needs to be protected by a couple of coats of lacquer. Since the lacquer lends a plastic look to surface, two coats of Trewax are applied and buffed to dull the surface down and provide additional protection. Voila, the finished bronzes!
The bronzes will be photographed professionally and I'll post the images as they become available.
(bronze carving, carved bronze sculpture)
The bronzes will be photographed professionally and I'll post the images as they become available.
(bronze carving, carved bronze sculpture)