Bronze Sculpture by Gary Mitnik Bronze Sculptor

Bronze Sculpture by Gary Mitnik Sculptor

“Freedom Rising”
(Clay in progress)

The Casting Process
From Clay to Bronze

1. The artist conceives an idea for a bronze sculpture.

2. An aluminum and steel armature or framework is built and attached to a board to support the clay sculpture.

3. The artist creates the original sculpture over the armature using modeling clay.

4. When the clay sculpture is finished, it is cut apart at strategic places in order to facilitate the making of silicone rubber molds.

5. Silicone rubber molds are made of each individual part of the sculpture. Plaster molds, called mother molds, are made to form the outside of the rubber molds so the rubber molds retain their exact shape.

6. Warm wax is poured into the pre-heated molds. The wax is sloshed around inside the molds and excess wax is poured out. After removing the cooled wax from the molds, this hollow wax is then joined to other wax pieces of the sculpture. Seam lines and joining lines are touched up. The artist makes certain the wax is exactly the same as the original clay model.

7. Wax sprues, gates and vents are added to the wax sculpture in order to allow the free flow of molten bronze into various parts of the sculpture. A wax pour cup is also added.

8. The gated wax is cleaned, then dipped into a ceramic slurry followed by a dip into silica sand. After the piece is dry, it is again dipped into the slurry followed by a dip into the sand, then allowed to dry again. This process is repeated several times to build up a shell around the wax piece.

9. Relief holes are drilled into the shell to allow wax to escape during burn out. The shell is then placed into a furnace at 1600 degrees. The wax melts out and the hardened shell is left with hollow cavities that the wax occupied before burn out. After the shell cools, the relief holes are patched.

“Daughters of Pavlova”

“Triumph Ascending
with Greater Wings”

10. Molten bronze, heated to 2000 degrees, is poured into the hollow cavities of the pre-heated ceramic shell, then allowed to solidify.

11. After cooling, the shell is broken off by hammer. The remaining pieces of shell are then sandblasted off the bronze.

12. Sprues, gates and vents are cut off with a carbon arc torch. Any parts that were cast separately are now welded back together. Any imperfections in the sculpture are now corrected by grinding or polishing (chasing) the bronze.

13. Heated chemicals are applied to the surface of the bronze to create the desired patina (color and texture). A wax coating is then applied to seal the finished sculpture.

14. A wood or marble base is attached. The title plate is added and the sculpture is complete.

Bronze Sculpture by Gary Mitnik Bronze Sculptor

Gary Mitnik Studios
gdmitnik@msn.com