| Before
starting a portrait sculpture you need to
determine the scale, it could be 60% life
size or life size and larger, often this
depends on where the finished sculpture
is to be placed. A portrait starts
life in clay on an armature. First I
model an overall basic head with the
correct bone and muscle construction, if
this is wrong at this stage it will be
impossible to achieve a likeness. I then
establish the placement of the features
by making marks with a knife, these will
be my guidelines.
Next I can
progress to develop the individual
features by observing the subjects
characteristics. These have to be
observed from every angle to achieve a
true likeness. The personality,
expressions and attitudes of the subject
have to be considerd too. Everybody
carries their shoulders in different
ways, or their hair in different styles I
also study the way the hair grows around
the face and falls from the crown this
all creates a likeness. Next I continue
to observe and model the work from all
views until I feel I have achieved a true
likeness of my subject.
When the sculpture
is finally finished moulds in plaster and
rubber are taken from the original
sculpture, it is then ready to be cast in
bronze at my foundry using the
traditional lost wax process. The
finished bronze is then mounted on a
plinth and signed.
Portrait sculpture
is a unique way of capturing the likeness
of family members, friends,and well known
personalities.
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