ARTCRAFT | Lost-wax casting

As promised, we're starting a new series of educational posts for everyone interested in the process of artistic creation. If you have ever wondered how it works from the other side, you've just come to the right place!


 Today, we'll introduce you to the method commonly used by sculptors and jewellers, called lost-wax casting.

But if it's so common, what makes it so special and fascinating then?
Well, it's one of the most precise methods that allows a sculptor to get the exact cast of the basic form. What's even more interesting is that it is precise enough to maintain the sculptor's fingerprints! So when you see a sculpture, look carefully, maybe you'll se the unique mark of artist on it.

You don't have to go far – you can see the pictures directly from Marian Gołogórski's workshop.

Marian Gołogórski's jewellery wax forms

Finished bronze ring

www.gologorski.com

Click to read more about this technique, see more astonishing pictures and learn about Marian Gołogórski's methods and tips:


So, what's the right way to do it according to Marian Gołogórski?

At first, you have to shape the form of sculpture directly in wax.
The model in wax is always made in 1:1 scale.

Female Chairfixion by Marian Gołogórski (wax form)

Then, you need to make a plaster-ceramic mold from the wax model.

The wax is then melted away from the form using high temperature. The wax then gets replaced by molten bronze. When the bronze is fixed, the form is removed.

Female Chairfixion by Marian Gołogórski (bronze)

The sculpture is almost done! Now, the surface of the sculpture has to be cleaned and. After that, the sculptor puts the patina on the surface of the sculpture. The sculpture is polished to shine. That's the final effect!

That's all for now. If you'd like to see more wax forms of sculptures by Marian Gołogórski see our previous post. 

See you in the next episode of ARTCRAFT column!