Susan believes everyone should be able to collect and enjoy fine art. So for the first time in 11 years of creating beautiful sculpture we are now able to offer a collection of solid foundry bronze sculpture to our patrons in addition to the existing range of sculptures which we are already casting in bonded bronze resin.
There is a difference between bronze resin (bonded bronze or otherwise cold-cast bronze), and foundry bronze (solid bronze or otherwise hot-cast bronze). In either of these two materials, the casts (the sculpture made out of the mold) are made using the same mold; which is taken from the original fabric sculpture. So that the sculpture is exactly the same, however, made in different materials.
Foundry Bronze or Hot-Cast Bronze is actually Bronze – essentially copper and tin; the tin not exceeding 11%. Other metals may be added to give different characteristics to the solid metal.
The making of a Hot-Cast Foundry Bronze is a complex and time-consuming process, and specific technical expertise is needed to accomplish the task of making a bronze. The most known and used process for making sculpture is called the "Lost Wax" Process:
A 1/4 inch thick hollow wax of the sculpture is made from the rubber mold capturing all the details. The wax is layered inside and outside with approximately seven coats of a ceramic shell material over a period of several days; this hardens around the hollow wax sculpture. The ceramic shell is then placed into an oven and the wax sculpture is melted out. This leaves a 1/4" space once occupied by the wax. Molten bronze is then poured into this space in the ceramic shell, then set aside to cool and harden. The ceramic shell is broken off the bronze and the finishing process begins; cleaning and chaising the bronze sculpture. The finished bronze is then ready for patination. A torch is used to heat up the surface of the sculpture, minerals deluted in water are brushed onto the heated surface creating a wide range of colours and patterns called a PATINA. This is just a brief explaination of the process and to really appreciate the process, one should visit your local sculpture foundry by appointment for more detailed information.
Bronze resin, Cold-Cast Bronze or Bonded Bronze are all the same material, just different names, is actually made of an epoxy or resin. Real bronze powder is used to achieve the bronze appearance. The technique used for making items in cold cast bronze, involves blending bronze powder with epoxy designer resin to produce a material which is applied to the interior of a silicone mold. The mold is then filled with a blend of resin and bronze metal powder which are then left to set. The finished item has the look, cold feel and sometimes (although not always) the weight of a solid bronze sculpture. The cold cast bronze process that we use is able to produce a quality sculpture which looks and feel like bronze at a lower cost of a solid bronze. This high quality bonding process gives us the ability to offer a collection of sculptures with the look and feel of solid bronze to a much wider audience at prices more collectors can afford.
Bronze Resin, Cold-Cast or Bonded Bronze is also collectable and allows a wider range of clients. It is also very durable, and larger sculptures can be created at a fraction of the cost of bronze. After comprehending the processes here, one can understand why the cost for a solid foundry bronze sculpture is much greater than that of a bronze resin. Solid bronze is also the most durable and beautiful material to use and it lasts the test of time. Other metals generally used for sculpture are Stainless Steel, Aluminium, Silver.
In conclusion, the choice of materials is yours to make. Your investment in a masterpiece sculpture by Susan Long cast in solid foundry bronze or bronze resin is a true quality art treasure that will be enjoyed for generations!
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