Life size sculpt questions

[Dericrw]

Hey Rpf'ers!
I have been recently asked to do a life size piece of an NBA player. I believe I have enough experience to take on a large sculpt of this caliber and would enjoy the challenge as well. But I have a few questions that I would like to ask the more experienced members and sculpters.

1.) I have mostly used chavant nsp soft clay because it is soft enough that it doesn't have to be warmed first and doesn't dry out so the sculpt can be done over a longer timeframe. Is there a better clay to use for projects this large?

2.) I normally cold cast my busts in smoothon onyx resin with a bronze metal powder. While it looks GREAT, I feel it is of a lesser quality than an actual bronze cast. So how do you go about having a sculpt turned into an actual bronze statue. I assume you have to take it somewhere where they can fire it. But how in the world do you transport a sculpt like that? Also can a sculpt be bronze casted for multiple copies or is it a one off?

3.) Question # 2 was a bunch and I will have more later I'm sure. Thanks for any help! I know it's difficult to share trade info but it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mr Mold Maker]

1.) If it's a life sized piece I'd personally go with WED clay. It is one of the best clays for bigger sculpts.

2.) You can mold the sculpture as you normally would and pull a resin copy of the sculpt and bring it to a place that can do bronze castings.
What they'll typically do is make another mold of that and make a wax copy. From there they make a stone like mold and melt the wax out of it. The process is actually called Lost Wax Casting. Then they pour the bronze in. The bronze casting will be smaller than the original life size so make sure you account for that when sculpting. You'd have the original silicone mold along with the plastic copy, so you can make as many as you need.

3.) No problem, knowledge for everyone!

 

[Viking]

1. Sculpt with what is most comfortable for you to work with. A lot of people lean more towards water clay for larger sculps due to the lower price of so much clay needed.

2. After your sculpt is complete, a mold is made (silicone mostly) so wax copies can be produced, the wax copies are coated in a liquid ceramic slurry in layers. The ceramic molds are then placed in a kiln to both harden the new ceramic mold and melt the wax out. Molten bronze is then pored into the ceramic molds and allowed to harden, lastly the ceramic molds are busted off the bronze positive and buffed.


Edit: SlipKnot beat me to it.