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- 0.1
- 1. Starting with a clay model, so I can figure out the shape to cut out of the sheet of brass.
- 2. The clay model was dipped in molten Dip Seal. The Dip Seal was cut and opened up and used to make a paper pattern.
- 3. I wanted the finished piece to be larger than the clay model, so I scanned the first paper pattern and reprinted it in the size I wanted.
- 4. The larger paper pattern was cut out and traced onto a piece of 16 gauge brass sheet, which was then cut out and annealed.
- 5. This form requires a lot of stretching, so I'm starting out by pushing out with a large ball on a polyurethane pad with the hydraulic press.
- 6. Using the raising hammer and stake to continue the forming toward the perimeter.
- 7. Hammering the ears to stretch them around the curve where they meet the head.
- 8. Using the stake shown in the inset to stretch the outer part of the curve of the trunk.
- 9. After all that hammering, the metal is work-hardened, and needs to be annealed.
- 10. After annealing, the metal is soft enough to press again.
- 11. Using the ball stake shown on the left with the heavy planishing hammer to fill out the form of the head.
- 12. I made the tool shown on the left to shape the curved crease dividing the ear from the head.
- 13. Another tool I made for this project, for shaping and rounding out the trunk.
- 14. Using that same tool rotated 180° to work on the underside of the trunk.