the original portrait created with modeling wax

the original portrait created with modeling wax

after having made a clay division over the widest part of the portrait, kept moist with a wet towel, a first very thin and runny layer of rubber is applied on the front part

the second layer of rubber is also quite thin, though thicker than the first layer

the third layer is thick and sturdy and applied liberally over the previous layers and made smooth and even with soft soap

after the rubber has cured, a thick layer of plaster is applied on the rubber to create a sturdy cover for the silicon rubber, right up to the perimeters of the clay partitioning wall. The clay is removed when the plaster has hardened. The thickness (and also a liberal bit over the edge) of the plaster is then smeared with soft soap

detail of the rubber and plaster and soft soap

the process of three layers of rubber repeats itself on the other side of the portrait

. . .

. . .

on this side also, a layer of plaster is applied. The mould is now complete

when the plaster has hardened the two halves can be seperated with a spatula

taking a picture of the mould (portrait inverted) gives an optical illusion

the melting of casting wax

carefully applying the casting wax directly on to the two halves of the rubber mould gives this result

the two halves are joined and retouched on the joints, resulting in a completed replica of the original, ready to be cast in bronze

castings out of the oven

after having worked on it for another day or so, it is ready for patination

the process of patination

the patina in a cold state

growing patina on the portrait

the final result, patinated and Beautiful

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