From Clay to Bronze: A Studio Guide to Figurative Sculpture (Paperback)

~ Tuck Langland (Author) "A lot of people seem to think that the only requirements for becoming a sculptor are a wooden board, some wire, a little soft clay,..." (more)
Key Phrases: plaster piece mold, horizontal nipple, sprue system, Classic Clay, Further Reading, Yellow Pages (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Going beyond theory straight to hands-on practice, this studio workbook is devoted to the creation of a large, realistic bronze figure, from initial studies through the complex processes of enlarging, modeling, molding, casting, and finishing. First the book deals with preparing the clay, building the armature, developing the figure study, and enlarging it. Then casting is explored, plaster waste, flexible molds, systems of lost-wax casting, metal chasing, welding, mounting, and patinas. Tips on the maintenance and restoration of bronze sculpture are included.

About the Author

Tuck Langland, professor of sculpture at Indiana University, has exhibited widely and earned numerous awards and commissions for his work on five continents. He lives in Granger, Indiana.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (November 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823006387
• ISBN-13: 978-0823006380
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #60,716 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars From Clay to Bronze--A Review, March 22, 2002

By A Customer

The author is a talented sculptor in his own right. The book he has written provides a basic, overall picture of what it takes to get from a wax original to a finished, mounted bronze. Having owned and operated a commercial bronze art foundry many years ago with which I also cast my own pieces, I am painfully aware that, in the process addressed by this guide, at least 75% of the physical work in producing a bronze sculpture occurs within the confines of the foundry (the 'dirty work' as one reviewer called it). This is as good a basic guide as I have seen and would heartily recommend it to any sculptor who has never been directly involved in casting their own work (probably 95% of all such artists) and would like to start or to one who is thinking of beginning sculpting and wants a generalization of what to expect.

A list of suppliers is provided and their literature/catalogs should be required reading for anyone who desires to seriously pursue the production aspects. An area that was covered, but sparingly so, was that of patinas. This is a complicated subject matter that must be studied and practiced extensively before approaching (with due vigilance paid to personal/personnel safety).

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have studio resource!, January 11, 2002

By	Michael (South Australia) - See all my reviews

I am a sculptor, well versed in bronze work and I love this book! Langland has written an emminently useful studio guide for sculptors interested in bronze casting. Whether you are experienced or a pure novice you will find useful information and handy hints, right from the most base material useage through to advice on setting up a studio of whatever calibre. The only thing that I feel might have been overlooked is information on how to tackle the irksome troubles of "drawback" where the bronze cools unevenly and pulls away from the mould. None-the-less, if you're looking for a comprehensive resource, this is it! (I should know, I've read a lot of these)So, buy it! Do it now!
p.s. A supurb comliment to this book is "Patinas for Silicone Bronze" by P. Kipper

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, an outstanding book for sculptors, January 26, 2003

By	michael joy (ChicagoMoldSchool.com) (Illinois United States) - See all my reviews

First off, buy this book. I borrowed it from a friend and then ordered it promptly. I read every book that comes out that includes fabrication and mold making. This was a well organized, visually helpful and well written. The information in the book is solid...useful for students and those who have already logged a lot of bronze time. There is always room for improvements, but this book really holds its own. Hats off to all who worked on it. This one will be around for a long time.