Clay to Bronze by John Brown

Ready to turn your clay creations into enduring works of art? This course dives deep into the lost wax process, a time-honored method used for millennia to cast bronze sculptures. You’ll gain practical knowledge and techniques to bring your artistic visions to life in a medium that truly stands the test of time.

🎯 What you’ll learn

• The complete lost wax process from start to finish.
• Essential mold making and wax casting techniques.
• How to prepare and execute the investment mold.
• Advanced skills in wax chasing, metal chasing, and patina application.
• Strategies for cutting windows, managing gates and sprues, and crucible handling.
• Understanding the knock out and base mount stages.
• Tips for breaking into the fine art business and selling your work.

✅ Requirements

• Skills: Basic understanding of sculpture and form.
• Tools: Sculpting tools, mold making supplies, wax, crucible, torches, metalworking tools.
• Hardware: Access to a foundry or a space equipped for metal casting and related processes.

📝 Description

This course is an encyclopedic guide to creating bronze statues using the lost wax process. It covers everything from initial mold making and wax casting to the intricate steps of investment molding, metal chasing, and achieving the perfect patina. You’ll learn the science behind each stage, understand the materials and tools involved, and discover how to be resourceful with time and expense. The instructor, John Brown, shares insights gained from decades of experience in both Hollywood special effects and figurative bronze art, offering practical advice on breaking into the fine art business and marketing your sculptures. This is more than just a tutorial; it’s a comprehensive education in a craft that has defined art for centuries.

🧑‍🎓 Who this course is for

• Sculptors looking to expand their medium to bronze.
• Artists interested in mastering the lost wax casting technique.
• Anyone wanting to create durable, museum-quality sculptures.
• Individuals aiming to understand the business side of selling fine art.

🧑‍🏫 About the Author

John Brown is a renowned sculptor with an impressive career spanning both Hollywood’s special effects industry and the fine art world. His contributions to over forty film and television projects, including major blockbusters, showcase his mastery of practical effects. Beyond film, John is a celebrated bronze figurative artist, with his sculptures gracing private collections across the United States. His unique blend of technical skill and artistic vision makes him exceptionally qualified to teach the complexities of bronze casting. Richard Taylor, Founder & Creative Director of Wētā Workshop, praises John’s methodical approach, emphasizing his focus on fundamental structure and form as the cornerstone of great sculpting.

🏁 Final Result

• A completed bronze sculpture, ready for display or sale, showcasing mastery of the lost wax process and finishing techniques.
• The knowledge and confidence to undertake future bronze casting projects independently.
• Insights into marketing and selling your sculptures in the fine art market.