Once-off casts

[Dries]

I have two weeks of leave left and would like to have some fun with some small sculptures. By fun I mean no moulds just investing and bronze casting, they would be solid cast sculptures so any tips on thicknesses and size would be highly appreciated.

[raspero]

Solid castings put you in the position of having to consider the shrinkage of the bronze. With hollow castings 3/16 or 1/4 inch thick, it's not that great of a problem. You will probably need to use risers to feed hot metal into the thinner sections of your piece. Or just make solid sculptures that are no more than say 3/8 inch thick anywhere.

Richard

[mantrid]

If you want to do a thick sculpture thats solid make sure the design tapers from thin to thick with the thickest end up and the thinnest end down. Have the pouring cup as thick as the thick section and joined straight onto it.
or
If it has a integrated base, have the sculpture upside down and the base uppermost and the metal enter at the bases underside, so when the metal shrinks it will break in the area where the sprue attaches to the bases underside so it will not be visible.

[Dries]

Thank you for the tips Richard and Mantrid and if you have some on the artist block I have now it would be even more appreciated.