Commission a Sculpture

From Concept to Creation

The detailed steps of an enjoyable experience to see the sculpture you want take shape.

Start on the journey to make the bronze sculpture you want, at a cost you understand, made by the experienced sculptor who is interested in the detail, your peace of mind and the valuable finished artwork you will cherish

The Process Special Commissions Pricing

The Process

Contact the Sculptress Joel with your questions and images of the individual or subject you want to celebrate in sculpture. Time is taken in discussion and establishing the pose and other factors influencing cost – such as schedule; size; edition number / exclusive / unique

The artist organises the sourcing of materials and making of the armature that will hold up the weight of the clay sculpture. Early work on measurements and design of the metal support is very important.

The artist organises the sourcing of materials and making of the armature that will hold up the weight of the clay sculpture. Early work on measurements and design of the metal support is very important.

The long careful build up and making of the three dimensional portrait of the subject – whether person or animal – and all the design involved continues. Joel makes sure that she coordinates with the client’s own diary for sittings and meetings.

Not only would you see the work in progress but are there to agree that the portrait commission is finished in clay. Any changes to the design or details can be made and major changes can happen by agreement about any extra costs and charges that occur from the requested changes.

Joel will be in touch with the foundry throughout this process from the Making of the first flexible Mould with its rigid supporting case to the Wax stage

In the lost wax cast bronze process – the next key stage for Joel is to go and check the wax sculpture stage and carry out any work on the fine details restoration she sees is needed for her to do.

The sculpture progresses through the foundry and after casting and de-investment and fettling and chasing in the details Joel does a final check.

The patination of bronze is accomplished with heat and chemicals. Joel is in contact with the specialists at the foundry for the patination choice, and especially of large areas and large scale. Joel also personally does her own specialist finishes as well as in any use of gold leaf, or fused glass.

After all is done the finished sculpture portrait is photographed and the moment of unveiling happens.

Over the years Joel has delivered work to events and special locations ( for the unveiling/anniversary /presentation – or when it chosen sets up the unveiling in her studio

” I am often asked when I consider a project finished – it’s when I see the smiles when people see their bronze sculpture unveiled for the first time – and yes sometimes there are a few tears too. It is a privilege and a joy to celebrate life in art with people ” – Sculptress JOEL

Much Loved Dog Companions – Example of a Portrait Head Sculpture Retrospective

Portrait Sculpture of Dog Breed

Original clay sculpture made during sittings at client’s home

Let’s talk about your project

Contact JOEL

Portrait Sculpture of a Thoroughbred Horse

The Sculptress JOEL undertakes commissions  and makes special statues and sculpture installations for public and private places. 

She works  in detail and achieves  excellent portraits of Animals and People, and beautiful designs for statues.

Below we cover aspects of what is involved with a portrait cast into Bronze at the foundry – the alternative is to have work cast using contemporary material such as in steel.

What is involved in a portrait sculpture?

JOEL does undertake retrospectives and overseas work, when the following guideline has to be amended.

Much Loved Dog Companions – Example of a Portrait Head Sculpture Retrospective

Consultation

Usually in the form of a visit, to talk through what you are looking for and to meet and study the subject. From discussions of schedule, and calculations, the costs are given and agreed. During the process, should any extra work be added, any additional costs are agreed before the further work is commenced.

View Recent Dog Examples

Example of a Life Sized Statue – from photographs, and video footage

The portrait is seen during its progress and JOEL responds to input from the client or specialist. The portrait sculpture commission is not cast until the work is finished and admired. 

Payments may sometimes be in stages to suit the project or brief. They are made at start and before work commences and before  the foundry moulding/casting.

Occasionally JOEL will sculpt retrospective portraits to celebrate those special and unique animals and people. She achieves the likeness using any existing photographs and footage and details discussion with those who knew the animal or person.

Project Stages

Photography; Measurements; Study; Questions and research – above are images of the original collie dogs

Manufacture of an armature

Peace of Mind at All Stages

  • Joel builds up the clay in studio – the long process to achieve detail and character
  • Site visits and sittings – Watch the process unfold on blogs and with studio and site visits
  • More studio work, build up to finish and addition of detail to coat and expression.
  • Photography of sculpting progress  and blog reports continue
  • Original finished, checked and taken to have mould made

Mould to foundry and the foundry wax poured

Wax cast from the mould – for the Lost Wax casting method

Check List

  • Waxes checked and finished by JOEL through the foundry with Sprues and runners added
  • Investment mould built on the wax 
  • Core added,  Kiln baked and wax lost;  
  • Molten Bronze poured, Investment mould removed;
  • Fettling  of sprues etc and Chasing of detail
  • Welding and fixing
  • Patination of Bronze with chemicals and heat
  • Adding of base

Collection and delivery to the client

Service and Delivery

The smiles of recognition and pleasure …

As you can see there is much time and skill invested to achieve these fine art works cast in Bronze.

Special Commissions

JOEL has been  given many special commissions such as :-

  • Wild animals and bird statues for nature conservation societies
  • Horses, dogs and cats breed societies
  • Portraits of famous people for  an art gallery
  • Bronze and cold cast sculptures of people & animals as trophies and awards for many other charities.

JOEL has won many awards, her study of Seahorses entitled “Treasure from Darkness” was a runner up in a National Sculpture Competition, she won the Top Twenty Best New Product at the London Gift Fair, and the prestigious Gift of the Year Award from the International Spring fair.

Examples of JOEL’s work have been requested for exhibition across the UK and  overseas.  

JOEL has also traveled overseas, including to Europe, to achieve portrait sculptures of individual animals.

“It is a delight and a great privilege to be able to sculpt and be involved in the design and making of works of Art that can bring so much pleasure to people”

The Sculptress JOEL

JOEL was selected to make the Statue for the Friends of the Settle to Carlisle Line, and achieved a portrait of the Collie dog Ruswarp that has become a popular landmark in Yorkshire.

Pricing

Prices vary considerably depending on many factors:- Size, material of casting, edition size, complexity, location, and other projects JOEL is involved with.

Sometimes a project might cost less than expected because it fits in with another schedule, or JOEL can suggest a particular design achievable for a certain budget.

Budget for costs from £2,500 to £18,000 for tabletop pieces and portrait heads of people and dogs, as well as life sized small dogs to £30,000 and above for life sized statues in bronze.  Contact JOEL to determine the costs involved in your own sculpture, Going on to cast in Silver or the Silver plate must be priced on an individual basis at that time as it is affected by the world market price of that metal.

The Sculptress JOEL makes  consultation  visits for your own unique project.

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