|
Sculpture
Commissions: Working Methods
Here are the
inner workings of
a portrait sculpture commission or whole
figure lifesize commissions... Note that
I travel absolutely anywhere in the world for commissions! Also
note that the prices for bronze casting change constantly so any prices quoted here are indicative
of ranges, but may change (upwards or downwards) when you are
ready to commission a sculpture.
 Decision:
you contact me by e-mail
or telephone, we discuss your initial requirements and desired
completion date, we agree on the price of the portrait sculpture which
can be either in bronze or in terra cotta (see both
types here), and a timescale.
For examples of bust commissions executed in the past, click here.
To see a whole figure lifesize, look at Tony
"Socks" Byrne sculpture.
Note: Prices for a sculpture
portrait / bust vary according to size (lifesize, or larger than
lifesize), whether the portrait will consist of full head and neck only
or full head, neck and shoulders, whether the sculpture portrait is for
a home (private residence) or for public display. As a rough
indication, for a lifesize portrait or bust: from / between US dollar $
6000 - 9500 equivalent to GBP £ 3600 - 5600, includes
original artwork, finished lifesize bronze. Does not include travel
expenses (which may be minimal depending on where I am), the base of
the sculpture (can be slate, marble, wood, or bronze to suit the
sculpture) or costs of shipping the bronze to you when cast.
In addition to the bronze, you may also decide to purchase the original
clay fired into terra cotta. For a whole figure lifesize of an adult,
from / between US dollar $ 30,000 - 35,000 equivalent to GBP
£18,000 - 19,500. Note: galleries that represent me will charge
an
additional percentage.
- Formal commission:
you confirm
to me the commission in writing by e-mail or mail and you send an
initial payment - usually one third of the total amount I have quoted
you and a start date is agreed on.
(To initiate a commission, simply e-mail me
with a short description of what you have in mind and what your
geographical location is. I can then send you an accurate quote.)
- Initial
appointment (if subject is to pose):
of approximately one hour... I take pictures and measuments, we discuss
the angle and mood of the pose
- "Fleshing
out" the portrait sculpture:
then I get the bust advanced to about 70% or so in clay (this is not an
exact science so percentages are a complete estimate!).
- The
second appointment is an actual
sitting to make adjustments and progress the sculpture portrait.
Estimated time is a couple of hours minimally.
- The
third appointment is again an
actual sitting. Sometimes the work is finished at this point sometimes
I will require a fourth or even a fifth sitting. This is largely played
out until we (the "subject" and I) are both satisfied that we have the
likeness and the mood and ultimately have arrived at the fine art piece
you have commissioned me to create for you.
- At
that point I shall require a second payment before
proceeding to make a mould. We will also discuss and agree how the
piece is to be cast, patinated (coloured) and mounted.
- Moulding
& Casting the artwork: I
will then get the sculpture portrait cast in the foundry, rework the
piece at the wax stage (there is ALWAYS some finishing required as
there is a limit to wet clay as a material and some details are best
worked in the wax).
- Patination
& Base: By all means,
let me know if you have a patina colour preference to suit the location
where the sculpture will be placed. I will also supervise the
patination process in the foundry and mount the sculpture portrait onto
a base if appropriate.
- Delivery/Shipment: Finally,
upon
completion of the work in bronze, I shall either bring/ship the bronze
bust to you or you can pick it up from my studio in Kent.
- Timescale
for a bust: Estimated time from
first sitting to finished portrait 4-8 weeks depending upon the
subject's ability to schedule the 1st, 2nd and any subsequent sittings
as close together as possible. Location is never a problem - I travel
all over the world for sculpture portrait commissions.
To initiate a
commission, simply e-mail
me
with a short description of what you have in mind and what your
geographical location is. I can then send you an accurate quote.
Commissioning
other types of sculpture
I can
undertake
other types of sculpture commissions:
|
