Celebrating A Very Special Dog Companion
After a ‘Terrier time’ I have the privilege of celebrating a beautiful spaniel called Jasper, to achieve a bronze statue of him sitting down.
Commission
DOG STATUE
When you want to celebrate Life and the Family and a very special Pet Companion
After the making in clay by JOEL – the long process from mould, wax, lost wax cast bronze – and Birthday celebrations in the Studio as the statue is revealed
The Commission Blog – Making of Jasper Statue
It is a long process to achieve Jasper’s own particular shape, coat and expression, and it starts with measurements and many photographs from all angles.
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Here is a taster of Jasper.
I shall have to wait a long time before I put those lovely curls and curves of hair on his ears!
This shows well the top-line from the side.
First key curve in steel
First fix…. and we are off !
The long wires are for supporting the form of the main body core.
You can follow the project more closely here
Steady progress
Building up the widths
Shoulders are starting to take shape.
Widths being developed
Then study of key articulation points
The base layer of the legs will now be added … and soon the head
Now we have more development and can see the dog shape develop
If you look you can see also the pins placed for reference to those key points
More checks on sizes and a quick sketch in of some wire mesh to check on the ear position.
The neck appears a little long – but this will be remeasured when we have the shoulders and chest closer to Jasper.. Looking forward to matching up the other side and getting some width onto the head.
Body contours filling out on both sides and the head too is developing.
Development too of the breadth of Jasper
Round the other side Jasper clay is being brought up to the same stage.
The head is now taking shape and we have a Dog sculpture in progress!
More attention to the width and front paws
Now in his new home the Jasper statue in clay is really taking shape. The eyes have been set in and the skull developed – Sculptress has been has been putting on his shape – and you can see the spaniel.
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Such a long way we have now come – I hope you have been able to follow the project on Facebook etc… but here are a few images of the slow build up of the Cocker Spaniel dog and then the additions to ensure it is a good portrait of Jasper.
The coat added all over
Moth changed to slightly open
A key image of Jasper’s smiley face
Joel is watched closely
New Mouth Shape
Both Smiles!
Work on the back of Jasper’s neck
Ear set altered to go with the new look
Right side
Rear view
Now the details on the nose and eyebrows
Remember the key view
Work also continues all over the body and legs
Some changes from mouth closed to slightly open and finally a cheerful Jasper grin.
And the last details of expression, coat and character.
After the last visit and check over Jasper clay goes off to have the mould made in its stages – and into the mould the wax is poured, worked on and then checked by Joel.
Through the long foundry process with the build up of the investment mould and the pour of the molten bronze…then de-investing and…
Cleaned and ready for finishing and patination to bring out the bronze colour tones chosen for Jasper Spaniel
Love all the detail catching the light
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An important choice of that happy expression of Jasper
So pleased
Next to source the stone type and base size to be made by stone mason suitable for Jasper Statue
Three options – and the warmer Cadeby chosen, Portland a close second!
Size of base selected and the wait
Jasper ready to go home and celebrate himself,family, all the years shared – his birthday human and the human who started all this!
Happy Birthday to you Special People
Celebrating Life
And at last delivery and helping with the positioning at his home – Yay Jasper and family
Close up of Jasper looking out at…
Jasper on the bank
A last close up
That happy face – such a special dog friend.
