Bronze or bronze resin?

Whether bronze or bronze resin, the beginning of the process of making a sculpture is the same.  A silicon mould is built around the original sculpture, from here the process for casting in bronze differs considerably from that for bronze resin.

Bronze, also known as the lost wax method:
A hollow wax casting from the mould is encased in a ceramic shell.  Molten bronze is then poured into the ceramic shell, melting the wax which flows out of the drainage tubes. The patination/colour is added by hand to achieve the desired effect.  This method has been used for thousands of years, will produce a sculpture that is virtually indestructible, is heavy, and tactile, cold to touch.  To make another sculpture of the same model the foundry has to go back to the mould and build a new wax cast, then the process begins again.  This intensive labour, plus the raw cost of bronze itself, explains why bronzes are so much more expensive than bronze resins.

Bronze resin, also known as the cold cast method:
A liquid resin which contains powdered bronze is mixed, a catalyst added, and then poured into the same mould as above.  After a few hour’s it has solidified and the casting can be removed from the mould.  It is then has the patination added by hand. The finished sculpture looks identical to one in bronze, but weighs much less and feels warmer to the touch. 

Private commissions:

If you are interested in discussing your own private commission, big or small, please visit the Contact page to get in touch.

Care:

Indoor bronze patinas need very little care, an occasional dusting will keep the artists intended surface.