portrait-sculpture.com

[Heidi Maiers]

Thanks Mark! I appreciate your comments very much. How is it possible that my work inspires you when your work inspires me at the same time? Wherever it comes from, inspiration is always a good thing I think.
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Heidi Maiers
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[Heidi Maiers]

Well, the stain and lacquer are taking longer to dry than anticipated (that's what happens when you make the base at the last minute!) so I haven't been able to get her mounted yet. It should be dry enough to mount and photograph tonight. Tomorrow I am going out of town for a week, so I won't be able to deliver it until I get back.
Anyway, here is the base finished (plate isn't screwed down though). She wanted it pretty dark, but with 3 coats of stain, this is as dark as the wood would go. Mounting is easy - just drill a hole in the base and countersink the bottom to allow for the nut and washer. Find the location of the hole by measuring the length and with of the bottom of the sculpture and then measure the distances from the bolt to the edges. Draw those measurments (centered) on the base and mark the spot for the hole. Be sure to drill the hole before you fine sand, stain, and lacquer, or you will probably scratch it all up.


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Heidi Maiers
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[Heidi Maiers]

OK, we're officially done here. Final photos.
The patina didn't photograph very well at all - it is MUCH lighter than it appears here. Again, thanks for joining me here and hope you enjoyed the demo.





And here are some other photos of it from different angles:

http://www.heidimaiers.com/HTMGalleries/Coco.htm
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Heidi Maiers
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If you learned something here, consider donating to the COFFEE FUND!
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[Tamara]

Beautiful! Beautiful! Wow! Now that should be worth at least $7000. on up but I'm pretty sure you did if for something like $4500.??? Well, after posting pics of that on your site maybe you can get even more for your portraits.

Thanks so much for documenting the whole process. I've learned a lot along the way.

Where did you buy the metal patinas from? The torch- is it a simple thing to purchase and where?

Thanks again,

Tamara
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Happy Sculpting!

[Heidi Maiers]

Hey Tamara (and everyone else),
Sorry if I am a little slow to reply - I'm in Seattle right now and will be back in town next week.
You can buy a torch at any place that carries welding supplies - check the phone book for welding supplies. The propane tank will be easier to find - you can get them at Lowe's or Home Depot.
Prices - yes, I"ve been increasing them over the years and still keep getting orders, so that is a good sign - I'd better not get too carried away though!
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Heidi Maiers
Forum Owner
If you learned something here, consider donating to the COFFEE FUND!
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[Roger Andrews]

Hello Heidi,

Can I add my congrat's on a superb sculpture and excellent tutorial. It was good to watch it evolve. I am really impressed with the finished patina.

Is there any way to do this or similar patina on a cold cast figure (I'm still trying to do soemthing with "Music").

Well done we're all looking forward to the next one

Roger

[Heidi Maiers]

Thanks Roger!
I wonder about the cold casting, but haven't experimented with it. I get the impression that doing the hot patina would melt the resin, or burn it.
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Heidi Maiers
Forum Owner
If you learned something here, consider donating to the COFFEE FUND!
http://portrait-sculpture.com/CoffeeFund.htm

[Vto]

Hi Heidi,

I said you before, I think, but not enought. Thanks for share your work, your know-how, with us. My be you think you are teaching us about sculpture ... no Heidi, more than these your are teaching us about human quality.

Ok, let's work: had you work sometime from a block of clay? not adding clay, removing clay from the block. Here we usually work in these way drain the piece like you in these work.

Had you noticed that your Spanish fan club is growing?

Best regards,

Víctor

[Heidi Maiers]

Hi Victor,
Thank you for that nice comment.
That's really interesting that you have been taught to start with a block of wet clay and carve. I'll have to try that method as an exercise sometime. Unlike stone, you can add a little back if you take off too much, and that would also eliminate the need for an armature since the block would be self-supporting. I can see doing a small thick piece and then molding/casting it. The clay would stay nice and moist because of its thickness and could easily be molded - or like you say, hollowed out later and fired.

Most of the pieces I make are a lot bigger than a block of clay, but I suppose I could start with a bigger block, or stack several blocks together.

I really like the philosophy of working from the inside out, rather than the outside in. I tend to like the idea of carving best when I think of more abstract sculpture where the forms just want to come out of the clay and you never know what surprises are hidden inside. An area I would like to explore more.

I have only done one subtractive type of sculpture in my entire life. This one below I think I made from a block of soapstone back in 1976 or so when I was just a youngster. I remember I accidentally broke a big chunk off the top with a hammer and chisle so it ended up flat on top instead of having a nice rounded curve of the back.

Now that you mention it, I do notice a lot of traffic coming to my site from countries like Brazil, Portugal, and Spain. Must be a lot of sculpture lovers there. And why not - those are romantic and passionate countries I think - and would appreciate the arts.

Anyway, here's that old piece - my one and only carving - I still have sitting on my bookshelf...


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Heidi Maiers
Forum Owner
If you learned something here, consider donating to the COFFEE FUND!
http://portrait-sculpture.com/CoffeeFund.htm

[Jeanette Lewis]

Hi Heidi,
I am finding this thread really helpful; I was thinking last night how I
would like to sculpt a bust of my young daughter, (and how much I need the practice too.)
This thread has provided a good guide as to how to approach the idea. So thanks for your generosity, it is much appreciated,
Yours, j.

[Vivien Tarkirk-Smith]

I put eyelashes on my Sioux woman