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Kenm810
07-27-2007, 04:08 PM
This 10” tall brass – bronze sand cast statue is fairly detailed with a smooth light colored surface patina due to weathering and its age. It is a representation or supposed likeness of Chief Tanacharison or Tanaghrisson (c. 1700 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1700)? – 4 October (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_4) 1754 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1754)) was an American Indian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Indians_in_the_United_States) leader who played a pivotal role in the beginning of the French and Indian War (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_and_Indian_War). He was known to European-Americans (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European-American) as the Half King, a title also used to describe several other historically important American Indian leaders.
The owner of the statue asked if we reproduce a full sized model of the figure made of a media other then brass or bronze for general display. While the actual statue’s finish that was damaged by improper cleaning is repaired. We suggested opaque acrylic with a simulated aged patina.
Being that the statue was just a 1 1/8” deep, and only a cast of the front half of the person. We could suspend it face down in the latex mold making mix or lay it flat on its back and pour the mix over it. Either way a small frame would be placed around it to build up and retain the latex. Once the statue was removed from the mold it was cleaned, inspected, photographed and set aside to be repaired, and then returned to the owner. This gave me an opportunity to cast, compare and photograph the matching details of a second back up casting, that could be mounted on a sled to represent an item to probe scanned for a CW carving project without having to scan to original piece, possibly resulting to scratches or other damage to its surface.
The first photo is an artist’s drawing of the Chief. The second is the original figure with the opaque acrylic cast model and latex mold, note the spear tip and shaft were cast in two parts to be fitted to the raised hand later. The third is again the original, the first casting with color being added and the second casting to be scanned. The fourth photo shows original and the finished casting together; you can easily see the matching details.
While looking at the mold you can see the back of the body as well as arm and legs are flat to concaved so after scanning and carving a little sanding make them appear rounded or complete.

This information is not in any way offered as a recommendation to other carvers thinking of scanning valuable objects or ones with a delicate surface or finish. It is merely a process I use to work around the problem, and represents a technique of doing it.

I myself and I’m sure many others are looking forward to a softer touch probe scanner for the CW and CC machines like the one Ron is working on.

rjustice
07-27-2007, 05:12 PM
Ken,
Your work never ceases to amaze me. If this is truly showing both pieces, and not one of your digital image trickery photos, I am very impressed. Your ability to duplicate the finish is incredible.

Very nice work!

Ron

Kenm810
07-27-2007, 05:16 PM
Hi Ron,

No trickery --- Cross My Heart!

Gotta be perfect or I don't get paid! http://www.carvewright.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_sad.gif

jspringertx
07-27-2007, 06:02 PM
Wow, what a great job. Very interesting process.

swhitney
07-27-2007, 11:36 PM
Ken... Awesome work and interesting procedure & explanation. Thanx for sharing!!

DocWheeler
07-28-2007, 09:21 AM
Ken,
As you said before, you have been doing this for quite a few years. For us who have not "lived" in that world, this type of thing is truly awsome.