After a clay sculpture has gone through the process of bronze casting the final step is the patina. The patina is what gives the sculpture it's color.
Notice the top of the legs and the shorts, that is the color of bronze after it has been cast, welded, and sandblasted. David, who is doing the patina, is spraying on a chemical called potash. He will coat the sculpture until it turns very dark.
You can see how dark the sculpture turns after coating it with the potash. In this photo the potash is being sanded off with an electric grinder.
After sanding off as much of the potash as possible with the grinder, the remainder is sanded off by hand. The potash is left in the crevices of the sculpture and this helps give the sculpture dimension.
Now the sculpture is heated with the torch and made ready for the next step.
Ferric, another chemical, is now sprayed on the sculpture and this is what give's it a classic bronze patina or color. Next it will be lacquered, waxed, buffed, and the process is complete.
It has been such a pleasure to be a part of Hayden's memorial and help to provide a lasting memory and tribute to him. A special thanks to Hayden's family.
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