Creating a condor to be cast in bronze

tgamble57 · #11 08-30-2006, 01:12 PM

Looking foward to watching the progres on this. I know nothing about what you are doing. Will be insteristing.

RoundRiver · #12 09-02-2006, 04:35 PM

O.K. Here is the lated progress report.

I have the foam roughed out, and have started covering it with the clay. I found the clay to be very hard to work. Putting it in the toaster oven at a low temp. helps very much. Also working under the sun by day and a heat lamp by night is recommended.
I have also found a great old turned wood piece for the base.(see pics).

today is all about fine tuning the details, I'll have mor by this evening.

Russell

Bill · #13 09-02-2006, 05:57 PM

That really looks like a intresting project, more that my abilities, I will be following your progress, keep us posted with more pictures.
Bill

Eleanor · #14 09-02-2006, 08:17 PM

Hi Russell, nice start, and brave to use the Chavant - I've tried it & found it very stubborn. Can I just recommend a book, a very old one, called "Modelling & Sculpture" by Alfred Toft, you might find one for sale on the internet; I went thru art school when no one was teaching traditional skills and that book taught me all I needed to know, now I have lots of clay bronze & wax experience (but am quite new to carving, ) feel free to pm me for any help, keep us posted, Eleanor

RoundRiver · #15 09-04-2006, 02:32 PM

O.K. this should be the final day!

I've had a rough time with this one....I realize how importand wood is to my art. The clay is very forgiving, however I am having trouble finding a soul within.

Also I've found it difficult seeing an end bronze piece complete with patina while working on the model.

The Chevant was a bit hard at first, heat is the solution. You could actually turn it to soup and pour it if you wish.

Pictures will follow throughout the day

Wish me luck !!

Russ

RoundRiver · #16 09-04-2006, 09:58 PM

Well another day and here is the progress.

The bird is starting to come out, very tedious.

Tomarrow I will photograph and send a picture to the buyer for final approval.

Can't wait till I can see it in bronze. The patina will add so much. I will go with a red white and blue patina to match the birds natural colors as well as the Chilean national colors.

More to come....

Russell

RoundRiver · #17 09-05-2006, 05:53 PM

Well I'm back from the photographer....We tried a photoshop technique to emulate bronze...Let me know what you think!

Russ

Lynn O. Doughty · #18 09-05-2006, 05:59 PM

Looks good to me. However, the photos make it kind of dark and foreboding. Just what is this piece for? I realize Boeing commissioned it but why would they pick a perched Condor?

RoundRiver · #19 09-05-2006, 06:23 PM

Great

Lynn,

Boing has a contract with the Chilean Air Force.

The buyer wants a macho, manly condor( for obviouse reasons).

As for the pose this is a typical Chilean condor image...it's on thier money as well as the insignea of the Air Force. Besides the Andean condor, with wings extended, is about 12 feet across, and Boing had a budget.lol

I shot this dark to enhance the manliness as well as to mimic what it may look like in bronze...as the original is a pinky, brown color and very unattractive.

Russell

Tarik · #20 09-06-2006, 07:09 PM

As Russelalready said, the condor is the national animal in Chile (as the bald eagle to americans) It is part of the coat of arms, that is in $100 pesos coins too.

The condor is also the simbol of the airforce. It is not only in the insignia, but in the uniforms as golden or silver broochs and the members of the Show Team are called "Condores".