Home
I received a commission to create a Great Grey Owl sculpture in silicon
bronze. This sculpture was created by shaping the bronze sheets and then
carved. I wanted to document the whole process as it progressed. A type of
'diary'. Hopefully this step by step process will help you understand the
thought process associated with creating fine art metal, (at least from this
artist's view point) along with the difficulties that presented themselves
along the way. Scroll to the bottom to see where this Great Grey Owl
finally landed.
bronze. This sculpture was created by shaping the bronze sheets and then
carved. I wanted to document the whole process as it progressed. A type of
'diary'. Hopefully this step by step process will help you understand the
thought process associated with creating fine art metal, (at least from this
artist's view point) along with the difficulties that presented themselves
along the way. Scroll to the bottom to see where this Great Grey Owl
finally landed.
After doing some research on the Great
Grey Owl, I began with the face. Finding
all angles of the owls face in photos on
the web, the process has begun.
Grey Owl, I began with the face. Finding
all angles of the owls face in photos on
the web, the process has begun.
Sinking on one side of the metal
I purchased some 7 7/8" half round dry floral foam to create a study of the Great Grey's face. It's inexpensive and can
be easily shaped with a dessert spoon. This will help me figure out the shadows and shapes I'm seeing in the web
photos. I can scrape away at the foam until I'm comfortable with what it is that I'm seeing. I can also take the 3-D
model to the shop and set it up while I'm forming the silicon bronze.
be easily shaped with a dessert spoon. This will help me figure out the shadows and shapes I'm seeing in the web
photos. I can scrape away at the foam until I'm comfortable with what it is that I'm seeing. I can also take the 3-D
model to the shop and set it up while I'm forming the silicon bronze.
At this point, I'm not happy with how the
face is progressing.......Back up,TIME OUT!
.....I need a better understanding as to
the shapes and form in the Great Greys
face and eyes.
face is progressing.......Back up,TIME OUT!
.....I need a better understanding as to
the shapes and form in the Great Greys
face and eyes.
So, I've got the Great Grey's face somewhat implanted into this brain of mine and proceeded to 'work it out' in bronze. As
you can see, it has a ways to go, but I believe I'm on the right track....of course, time will tell.
you can see, it has a ways to go, but I believe I'm on the right track....of course, time will tell.
Artist Blacksmith
The face is coming along and almost complete. Then it's time to work on the head that the face will be inserted. I'm trying to be accurate with the
face, as much as possible. When looking at someone, or something, automatically you look at the face. So, it's important I get this part of the owl
right.
face, as much as possible. When looking at someone, or something, automatically you look at the face. So, it's important I get this part of the owl
right.
The feathers around the face are being added at this point as well as the start of the head portion.
Working on the back of the head by forming the bronze sheets and building up
bronze weld. Then carve the feathers into the head.
bronze weld. Then carve the feathers into the head.
At this point, the head is as
far as I can take it until the
body is created. I
sandblasted the head in order
to see the detailing better.
It's difficult to see with the
dirt and different coloration
from the heat of the
welds.....and now onto the body.
far as I can take it until the
body is created. I
sandblasted the head in order
to see the detailing better.
It's difficult to see with the
dirt and different coloration
from the heat of the
welds.....and now onto the body.
Started working on the chest/belly area of the Great Grey and realized that the wings/back
area should be finished before putting the two together. So, as you see below, the start of
the wings has begun.
area should be finished before putting the two together. So, as you see below, the start of
the wings has begun.
Chest
Wings
Cut out individual feathers for the wings and carve.
Welded the individual feathers on. Need to cut out more that are longer. I've welded the head to the
wings/back and am building up the neck area and the back of the head.
wings/back and am building up the neck area and the back of the head.
Time to add longer wing feathers
Finally, attach the chest and now build up the empty areas....
The head is almost complete. Just need to carve the feathers.
At this point, I can see that the wings need a bit more feathers before moving onto the tail feathers and feet of this guy.
At this point, I can see that the wings need a bit more feathers before moving onto the tail feathers and feet of this guy.
I created more wing feathers and then realized that the bottom three needed to be
repositioned. I cut them off and re-attached along with the additional feathers.
repositioned. I cut them off and re-attached along with the additional feathers.
Before
After repositioning the feathers
Tail feathers completed, Now to work on the feet
| Created the stainless steel branch for the owl to be mounted to. |
| Started a copper frog that will be placed in the talons of the owl |
Feet are being created.
| First and second try to make a copper frog |
Frog feet
| The frog will be placed somewhat like this.... |
| I am so close to finishing this Great Grey Owl....When a project gets this close to the end, time seems to slow as though the finish line is just in sight, but yet so very far away. I've been adding the last of the feathers to the chest and feet areas as well as a few wing feathers. Just need to carve out some of the welds. |
| SO, Carved and sandblasted....just need to heat color and then, INSTALL |
| Installation day |
| Heat the stainless steel branch to darken and color it |
| If you would like to commission a sculpture, please contact me anytime. Thanks for following the whole process of creating a welded, carved silicon bronze Great Grey Owl Sculpture. ~Paula~ eartheagleforge@yahoo.com |
| Completed sculpture!! |
| Earth Eagle Forge 42091 county 36 Guthrie MN 56461 (218) 224-3283 |