Acryl on Bronze

Searched for months – and finally found: the way from wood to bronze for the «Captain» and the «Embracer».

My original wooden sculptures are coloured. How do you preserve the soul of colored wood in bronze?

I chose two pieces for the casting process. After six months of testing different options, the two sculptures are now ready for their first exhibition in Dubendorf.

Marcel Bernet holzbildhauer figürlich holzskulptur sculptor figurative wood art

Captain, acrylic on bronze, 38 cm high, 18 cm wide, 28 cm deep.

He has read everything about the Tao and the flow of life, and practises devotion and meditation. Nevertheless, he stretches his legs out of the boat. Because he still clings to the illusion of being at the helm of life.

This sculpture is part of a series that I talk about in «Dare to flow?».

Marcel Bernet holzbildhauer figürlich holzskulptur sculptor figurative wood artEmbracer, acrylic on bronze, 28 cm high, 21 cm wide, 8 cm deep.

His hug welcomes himself, his difficulties, and his gifts. Connected inside, he opens his heart to others.

The hands and faces of both figures have a slight patina to keep the bronze from further oxidising.

The added pictures reduce the process of «lost wax casting» to 12 steps, which I was pleased to undertake again with Andreas and Richard Bründler in Oberwinterthur.

The two bronze figures express my original statement in a new form. They are portable and occupy their space with a powerful presence. I am delighted that the journey has been so successful!

More stories about my art.
There, you can also find the story behind my first bronze in black.

 

Marcel Bernet holzbildhauer figürlich holzskulptur sculptor figurative wood art
Marcel Bernet holzbildhauer figürlich holzskulptur sculptor figurative wood art

1. Reproduce the original (Embracer): I use a high-resolution 3D scan of the original. This preserves the original sculpture and allows me to choose the size of the cast figure.

Marcel Bernet holzbildhauer figürlich holzskulptur sculptor figurative wood art

2. 3D print (Captain): A professional 3D print in plastic captures the details of the original with all cut edges and serves as a template for all further steps.

Marcel Bernet holzbildhauer figürlich holzskulptur sculptor figurative wood art

3. Moulding the figure: The printed original is reproduced in a reusable mould. The silicone layer between the figure and the support mould is missing here.

Marcel Bernet holzbildhauer figürlich holzskulptur sculptor figurative wood art

4. Wax original: Wax is poured into the silicone mould in a layer five millimetres thick. Shown here: the black shoes of the Embracer in the white silicone.

Marcel Bernet holzbildhauer figürlich holzskulptur sculptor figurative wood art

5. Remove the wax from the mould: Thanks to the flexible silicone layer, the wax model can be easily lifted out, with black wax as a perfect copy of the 3D print.

Marcel Bernet holzbildhauer figürlich holzskulptur sculptor figurative wood art foundry bronze guss giesserei

6. Create the casting system: Channels are added to the wax figure to allow the bronze to be poured in and the air to escape. I am always amazed at the thoughtful expertise visible in this step.

Marcel Bernet holzbildhauer figürlich holzskulptur sculptor figurative wood art

7. Remove the wax: The original wax is covered with fireclay, which will form a detailed mould and become hard and fireproof as it dries.

Marcel Bernet holzbildhauer figürlich holzskulptur sculptor figurative wood art foundry bronze guss giesserei

8. Melting out the wax: The Captain is completely packed in, ready for the wax to be melted out. This makes room for the bronze.

Marcel Bernet holzbildhauer figürlich holzskulptur sculptor figurative wood art foundry bronze guss giesserei

9. Casting: Bronze heated to 1100 degrees Celsius takes the shape of the prepared artwork. An impressive spectacle of blazing heat and precise choreography.

Marcel Bernet holzbildhauer figürlich holzskulptur sculptor figurative wood art

10. Clean the casting, chisel (Embracer): Fireclay and bronze residue sticks to the bronze figure and all the filling channels. All residues are removed.

Marcel Bernet holzbildhauer figürlich holzskulptur sculptor figurative wood art foundry bronze guss giesserei

11. Patination: The casting is complete and cleaned. Chemicals, bee wax and heat fix the desired patina.

Marcel Bernet holzbildhauer figürlich holzskulptur sculptor figurative wood art

12. Colouring: The finale takes place in the studio, where I apply a base layer and paint with acrylic colours. Here, creativity meets thankfulness in meditation.