HOW IT'S MADE

For sculpture in the round, I begin by making a maquette, which is a small version the portrait. It is the 3-dimensional equivalent of a sketch. At this stage I experiment with the overall shape, depicting the posture, expression, hairstyle, clothing, etc.

The next step is to make the original in clay. I build an armature, a sort of interior framework to hold the clay in place. I model the clay into the desired size, and develop the style, expression, features and details. It is during this stage that you sit for me in the studio.

Once the original is complete, the job is just half done. The front and back of the clay original is covered in plaster to form a 2-piece mold, or 'negative' of the shape.

A cast is then made inside the mold. If the material you have chosen for your portrait is ciment fondu or plaster, this cast will be the final version, with final touches and finishing. If your chosen material is bronze, glass, or another material that uses a hot process, it will require a few more steps and the use of foundry facilities.