Course Outline for Art 22
Metal Sculpture - Lost Wax Bronze Casting

Effective: Fall 2022
SLO Rev: 05/19/2016
Catalog Description:

ART 22 - Metal Sculpture - Lost Wax Bronze Casting

3.00 Units

Comprehensive introduction to various metal sculpture processes. Mold-making techniques for casting bronze, aluminum, as well as basic welding. Emphasis on 3-dimensional design quality, craftsmanship, and subject matter, with research in the history of traditional and contemporary metal sculpture.
Strongly Recommended: ART 17A, .
1002.20 - Sculpture
Optional
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 2.00 36.00 72.00 108.00
Laboratory 1.00 72.00 0.00 72.00
Total 3.00 108.00 72.00 180.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. apply the fundamentals of design in creating clay original;
  2. make a rubber mold from that original;
  3. employ the fundamental techniques of lost wax casting;
  4. recognize and identify the attributes of fine craftsmanship;
  5. critique their own work and the work of others;
  6. apply concepts of contemporary sculpture to class projects;
  7. demonstrate individual creative application of personal style (how the students made the assignment their own).
Course Content:
Course Content (Lecture/Demonstrations): 
  1. Historical overview of the development of lost wax casting
  2. Employing elements and principles of three-dimensional design and personal style to make an original in clay
  3. Field trip to a professional art foundry to see and talk to professional artisans at work
  4. Demonstrations of techniques
    1. modeling with plastaline
    2. rubber mold making
    3. investiment mold making
    4. wax chasing
    5. bronze chasing
 
 
Course Content (Studio): 
  1. Rubber mold making
  2. Wax casting and chasing
  3. Safety procedures in the foundry pouring metal
  4. Bronze casting and finishing and patinas
  5. Use of basic tools:
    1.  alcohol lamp
    2.  burnout kiln
    3.  metal finishing tools
    4.  welding
  6. Individual creative application of personal style (how the students made the assignment their own)
  7. Creation of work using a variety of technique
    1. modeling with plastaline
    2. rubber mold making'
    3. investiment mold making
    4. wax chasing
    5. bronze chasing
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Field Trips
  2. Studio
  3. Formal lectures with slides and video;
  4. Individual and group critiques;
  5. One-on-one instruction.
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Mold a human face in clay or wax.
  2. Mold an animal head in clay or wax.
  3. Mold an abstract torso in clay or wax.
  4. Compose a Bas Relief.
  5. Prepare for foundry terminology quiz.
  1. Final critique of student work.
  2. Field Trips
  3. Class Work
  4. Critique
  5. Quizzes
  6. Portfolios
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Construct an original bronze sculpture:  Make an original clay sculpture, make a rubber mold of that original, make a wax replica from the rubber to cast into bronze, finished with patina.
  2. Critique masterpieces and student sculptures incorporating elements and principles of three dimensional design and using foundry terminology
  3. Express creative concepts
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Duhamel,O.O. (2012). Bronze Casting Manual CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform .
  • leather gloves
  • safety glasses
  • earphones
  • dust masks
  • plastaline
  • rubber mold kit
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Learn to transform clay sculpture into bronze using mold making techniques and foundry processes Casting bronze .
Strongly Recommended: ART 17A, .