Making the bronzes

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Sketching from reference material, Tim develops the original concept through drawing to produce an impression of the new sculpture.

Once the idea has been studied in 2D, a sketch model, or 'maquette', is often made before the clay sculpture (shown here) is created.duce an impression of the new sculpture.

From the clay model, a silicone rubber and glassfibre mould is made at the foundry in order to make a wax copy of the original. The wax is coated with a fire-proof ceramic shell which is then placed in an oven to melt away the wax.

The ceramic shell is then prepared and molten bronze is poured into the space left behind by the 'lost wax'.

When the metal has cooled, the entire piece is quenched in water to shatter the ceramic shell and reveal the bronze cast within. The bronze is then cleaned and assembled.

The raw bronze is then patinated, a process of chemical treatment applied as a liquid and worked with a fierce blow-torch.

The finished bronze is then coated with a special wax which gives it its subtle satin sheen.

Making the bronzes

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When the original sculpture is completed, it is usually cast in bronze using the ‘lost wax’ method. A mould of the sculpture is made to allow the casting of a wax copy. The wax is then encased in a fire-proof coating. This coated wax is heated, causing the wax to be melted out or ‘lost’ and leaving a cavity in the shape of the original Artwork. Molten bronze, or other metal, is then poured into the void left by the ‘lost wax’. When the metal has begun to cool and set, the fire-proof shell is removed to reveal the bronze cast. Finally, the sculpture is hand finished and patinated.