Turn Your 2D Dreams into 3D Sculptures - Part II

The Sculpture Park at Adonis Bronze, Alpine, Utah (Sculpture by Dennis Smith)

One reason why many painters don’t consider making sculpture could be an unfamiliarity with either the terms used or the processes by which three dimensional objects get made. Metal sculpture usually requires some proficiency with welding, or the means to hire that out. Perhaps the idea of chiseling away at an expensive, obstinate and unforgiving piece of stone holds no charm. Or, it might be that the impression that sculpture has been traditionally a man’s domain is discouraging to some. The truth is that making sculpture only requires one to be an artist!

My own adventures into bronze sculpture started very simply. I had an idea that I wanted to realize in three dimensions, and the simplest way to do that was to get some plastilene clay and start playing with it. I didn’t even know what grade of clay to order, so I chose medium hard and started working it in my hands. I soon discovered that I needed some …