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From inspiration to casting
Published
11 years agoon
The process of making a bronze sculpture
By Ott Jones Explore Big Sky Contributor
The creative process
My sculptures are all a direct result of my experiences and interaction with wildlife gained through hunting, fishing and spending time in the outdoors. I find that inspiration can happen anytime and anywhere and is the first step in creating a piece of work.
The second step is finding a pleasing composition and design, which I believe is the essence of a fine piece of work. To do so, I create miniature clay studies (maquette), and only once I’m satisfied with a study do I build an armature and start my final clay sculpture.
A sculpture must have rhythm and a strong correlation to other key elements including mass, form, line and negative space. How these elements interact with one another determines the strength of the composition and design.
Next, I obtain my research material, which includes observing my subjects in the field. There is nothing as valuable as sculpting from life, so I use a live model whenever possible. Photography, sketching and using subjects I keep in my “roadkill freezer” also provide valuable research material. The foundation of a fine piece of sculpture is knowing my subject’s anatomy and how it works, as well as its personality.
From armature to bronze, Ott Jones Chief Morning Star sculpture takes form:
Philosophy and style
I’m not concerned with sculpting every detail, whether it be feathers, hair or scales, but rather emphasizing the form and structure. I believe less is more: I don’t want viewers to be distracted by unnecessary detail, but instead to see the simple beauty of the subject’s form and structure.
When texturing a piece, the most important tools are my hands. I want you to see my fingerprints in the finished bronze – this is the ultimate signature of my artistic expression.
The sculpting process
Once my original clay sculpture is finished, it goes to a foundry where it is turned into bronze through an intricate eight-step process:
1. A latex rubber mold is built around my original, which is then removed from the clay.
2. Hot liquid wax is then poured into the mold.
3. Once cooled, the wax is pulled from the mold and cleaned up (also called wax chasing).
4. These waxes are dipped into ceramic slurry, where 11 coats are applied around the wax.
5. Once the ceramic mold has dried properly, it’s placed into a burnout oven, where the wax is burned out. This is called the lost wax process, and it leaves a hollow ceramic shell, which the molten bronze is poured into at approximately 2,500 degrees F.
6. Once the bronze has cooled, the ceramic shell is chipped and blasted off of it.
7. The pieces of the cast sculpture are then welded together and finished with various hydraulic tools to match the texture of the original clay sculpture.
8. Finally, heat and various chemicals are applied to the metal to obtain the patina, which is the coloring of the bronze.
Recognized for his wildlife and sporting bronzes, Bozeman-based sculptor Ott Jones has been a full-time professional artist for 27 years. His public works include the sculpture of John Bozeman at the Bozeman Chamber of Commerce, the fly fisherman at the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, and Chief Morning Star at Morning Star Elementary in Bozeman. Pieces are also available at Creighton Block Gallery in Big Sky, the Rocky Mountain Rug Gallery in Bozeman, and the Legacy Gallery in Jackson, Wyo.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
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Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome to come, if you don’t know who to bring come alone this is a great mixer event! This is an event hosted by Big Sky OUT as we work to provide queer safe spaces throughout the community.
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