Pony Memorial Sculpture

 

Two design options to celebrate a special pony companion

Tack on and ribbon flying

Running Free

Life celebrations and memories

Celebrating the Cocker Spaniel Friend

 Making the detailed portrait sculpture of the head of the dog friend Chester

Joel has been commissioned to make this sculpture to be cast in bronze.

Here the lovely original

Building up the key profile of the armature

More work towards the profile and changes to the ears

next to work on  the details of nose, and eyebrows

Here the head line is being developed and the width of the nose too

Work is paused on the ears until the widths of cheeks are set

You can see the reference pins in place

Here the key image again

Still a little more of that lovely shaped head to do...

More work on the key points

Working on the details of expression and hair

The distinctive curls of hair round the back of the head

 Right side details developing

And looking down

 A good series of sessions on the characteristic features of the hair

on the nose, near the eye and eyebrows, ears

 and the start of the back of the neck

Notice how the ears tuck closely in to the face

This all needs working in adding and even finer details added.

Portrait Sculpture

Welcome to the site showing examples of portrait sculpture.
The Sculptress JOEL has recently been asked to do several portraits of best loved dogs, and examples of these are included, though she has also been working on other animals and people.
Click on the link for all the latest news of more sculpture portraits

Here there are examples of  portraits

A Life sized sculpture of a female working Labrador

 Life sized portrait head of a Cairn Terrier

Table top sculpture of  West Highland White

You can follow the making of the portrait of the head of a Deerhound

Here is an image of the  original

The Bronze portrait sculpture of the Deerhound was unveiled at Blenheim
"She's Gorgeous" was the client's response
and a quote from visitors
"The Celtic Hound is fantastic - Just like our Deerhounds"

If you are interested in having a portrait sculpture of a special individual please contact JOEL at the Studio

Precious Gift

Portrait sculpture a life sized statue of a special canine friend - Precious

Follow the making of this unique dog sculpture.

Expression

Attitude

Character

The armature has been designed - measurements being assembled.

First elements of the armature welded. 

Other elements planned and sourced.

Steel rods and first wire

The wire set against outline

Close up of head components

Next the build up of the wire forms for the body and neck

here the filling of the wire to develop the width and first depth of the body core

Then the first layer of the clay to cover the wire and body

Next the study of the top line and the lower profile - and to add the clay to that profile

Good build up of overall top line

Build on the chestline




















The chest line and top line will be refined.
Work has happened to add to width of loin shoulder and neck.


Next the study of the front and rear views.
Looking to support the head and set the positions of the legs....

Good sessions follow to build up the neck, head and body form and confirmation. I left some of the shade as I prepared the image for uploading... Giving an indication of the final topline after skin and hair detail are added

Checking of measurements. Research into Breed characteristics.
Continued work out of the form and development of the back and hip into the top of the legs.

Work continues 

The body and legs have been developed

The head and neck sketched in

Just a hint of paws 

Next to fill out the sides 

A sketch of a collar has been dropped on to start to gain a reference

The ears are only sketched in place and will be adjusted and refined 

We can start to see her breed!

Every time an area and muscle group is adjusted all must be checked.

Much more work to do and all the surfaces to add  to top levels.

Getting closer

Major changes made to the neck to come closer to her form and character as seen below

After consultation with the commissioner/owner more adjustments to neck and leg length...also shape of nose and face

Oh yes and a new round collar!

More adjustments after feedback

Here a comparison - you get some foreshortening when taking photos - but we are getting close - you can note Precious statue has her head raised to look at her owner

Her head is slightly on one side as well as looking up.
The details to her face and ears will be worked on once  the pose and neck is right.

Cutie!

Work on the fine details continues, the rounded collar is set on the neck and the lovely lines of fur begun.

Fine details of the face in the spring sunshine - light and temperature just right for this close work to get the surfaces finished

Cheeks more rounded - visible from this angle and her collar is finished

Lovely wrinkles on her forehead when her ears are up and forward like this

Characteristic folds on her face and her mole!
Work on the feet to continue and we are booked in to the mould maker next week!


Mould all made

Great Skills involved to achieve a quality reliable mould

Wax made and checked > Sprues and runners added and the Investment mould is built. 
All these stages need their own skills and expertise.
Next the use of the furnace and the pouring of the molten Bronze.  All the work to de -invest and reinstate the surfaces, patination and final check...

And the Gorgeous Girl - Precious Statue is complete

Here in the garden bright sunlight you can see the paler  more golden tones of this bronze statue of a Precious  dog.