From Clay to Bronze
Why Nicole Taillon’s work is so unique.
“Obviously we are talking here about my method since some sculptors work directly on wax or polystyrene foam or wood, or do not go through the plaster step and, when the sculptures return from the foundry, they do not bother with patinating or polishing.”
1 - Creating in clay (positive)
I never draw; I create directly in clay.
The clay I use is very malleable, almost soft, allowing for very quick action. Only the emotion remains; I don’t have time to intellectualize and doubt my gesture. This step usually lasts two weeks, but it can take a month or more for larger pieces.
2 - Alginate (Negative) Transfert
The piece is studied and marked, then molded part by part with dental paste. A thin layer of plaster is applied as support. Each section is emptied of clay, then molding plaster is poured into the carved shape. The process is repeated for each part.
3 - Rebuilding the Sculpture (Positive)
The previous steps aim to reproduce the original clay model in plaster, enhancing the texture, highlighting the details, and sculpting the hands, fingers, and parts of the face directly into the plaster, enriching the sculpture with more details and intricacies.
4 - Silastic or silica rubber mold (Negative)
To design the mold for the sculpture and extract the waxes, a precise analysis of the piece is conducted. Each section is supported, covered with plastic and plasticine, and then with a plaster dome. After hardening, the plasticine is removed, allowing for the pouring of liquid rubber. This process is repeated for each section, requiring up to twenty molds per sculpture.
5 - Making a wax model (Positive)
The pieces are demolded. Each half of the mold is coated with hot wax to pull out each piece of the artwork in wax. Special attention is given to the uniformity of the wax. The pieces are then assembled, and the joints, defects, and bubbles are corrected to ensure optimal bronze quality. These steps are repeated for each bronze casting.
6 - The piece goes to the foundry
At the foundry, the waxes are dipped in a bath of liquid ceramic and coated with silica several times to create a solid shell. After firing, the wax is removed, and bronze is poured in its place. Once cooled, the shell is broken, the pouring rods are removed, and the piece is assembled through welding, sanding, and polishing, sometimes for a mirror finish in certain areas.
7 - Finishing and patina
The sculpture is mounted on granite and then patinated.Patination involves coloring the metal with various acids. Depending on the acids used, the process can be cold or hot, using a propane torch. This coloring process can take several days, or even weeks, for a sculpture with multiple colors. The sculpture is lacquered to fix and slow down its oxidation.