WORK IN PROGRESS
This page is to show a piece in progress and shows two pieces followed from un-sculpted wax lump to sculpted wax lump, with all the stages in-between
“Anger” and “Pride”
In the beginning
Well it all starts with an idea, of
course, followed by a rough working sketch, and they don’t come much rougher
than mine.
Anger
Pride
After the sketch comes the initial structure or armature of the piece. This is usually aluminium wire bent into the basic shape of the dragon’s body. I also use knitting needles quite a lot – both for body support and horns.
Next comes the wax, and lots of it. This is where the dragon’s bulk starts to build, and you first get the feel of the three-dimensional form. I work on the overall flow and character of the piece at this stage, and once the basic trunk is there introduce the arms, legs and wings.
Anger
Pride
For the wings I generally use aluminium mesh. This material is highly versatile, its pliability and strength make it perfect for modelling the bone structure and folds of the wings, and even before the wax is applied you can see how the overall form of the dragon is going to look.
Anger
Pride
Now the real work begins. It’s at this stage that you start to get a real feel for the character and style of the piece. With muscle tone and sinew gradually defined, a shaped lump of wax slowly transforms into a head, torso and limbs with vitality and power. The dragon comes to life, a creature of grace and majesty frozen in a dramatic moment of time.
Anger
Pride
The base of a large piece also requires a great deal of time and detail. With Pride my idea was to portray a dragon fossil embedded in the floor of the pool, which would be covered over with water when the piece was completed. So a splendid dragon gazes lovingly at his own reflection not noticing what lies beneath the water, an image representing the eventual fate of all dragons – Pride comes before a fall!
With Anger I was no less ambitious. I wanted a large base covered with the paraphernalia of war: a myriad swords, spears and shields and a few surprises hidden away also.
Anger
Pride
Eventually the piece is finished. Although invariably I am not completely satisfied, I have to draw a line under the project and surrender my ‘baby’ to the mercy of the mouldmaker. This is the part of the process that I really hate – having to set the piece up for moulding. Often the large dragons are moulded in sections to protect vulnerable limbs or wings.
There is always the anxiety that something could go wrong during this process and the piece get damaged, although with a highly professional outfit like Mouldart on the job there really is nothing to worry about…..but you still do!
Anger
Pride
