Twice awarded 5 Gold Stars at RHS Chelsea
About Us
From Book To Bronze
Literary Masterpieces transformed into enchanting bronze sculpture for your garden.
We are in a very fortunate position of being able to do what we love, making sculpture from the characters that live within the book.
Research
'Holding the original illustration is a privilege
STUDY
"Drawing is an intelligent act" says 'Ingres'... "it's where we start to learn what we are looking at."
The Armature
'The armature is the skeleton. A drawing of wire in space, which is the starting point of the 3d form'
Modelling
'From earthy lumps of clay, we begin to create form and breathe life into the characterisation'
Making the mould
'The mould captures the delicate impressions made in the soft clay, allowing us to reproduce them'
Cire-perdue lost wax process
'The wax figure is created from the mould where further refinement can be made, ready for bronze casting'
The crucible
'Pouring molten bronze into ceramic moulds that were made from the wax figure.'
Assembly
'This collection of castings will be braised back together to form a copy of the original clay sculpture'
The Patina
'Using acids, alkalis and heat to create colours through oxidisation'
At the FOundry
'Thanks to all the wonderful staff who help to bring these characters to life'
Installation
'Enchanting the garden'
Viewing our work
Visit The Workshop
The Robert James Workshop is now open by appointment. You can find us at:
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens,
Beach Farm,
Buller's Farm,
Abbotsbury Nr. Weymouth,
Dorset DT3 4LA
Come and view our collection of water features, sculpture, miniatures and jewellery. Join us and the Mad Hatter for a cup of Dorset tea!
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