Bronze Sculpting 101, Step 1: The Wax

In my figure sculpting class this spring, I am doing a lot of bronze casting, and loving it. Over the next week or so I will attempt to explain how this process is done (using the Lost Wax Method).

Step 1: The Wax

First we create our sculpture in wax. (Or Step 0 and Step .5 can be done first in which the sculpture is made is clay and then a mold is made into which the wax is poured). My wax sculptures are small human figurines, which we call gestures. These are made exactly as you want the final bronze piece to look like. Thanks to the models who hold these for about 3 hours (with small breaks) so that we can sculpt from life.