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1. Starting with a clay model, so I can figure out the shape to cut out of the sheet of brass.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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6. Using the raising hammer and stake to continue the forming toward the perimeter.
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7. Hammering the ears to stretch them around the curve where they meet the head.
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8. Using the stake shown in the inset to stretch the outer part of the curve of the trunk.
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9. After all that hammering, the metal is work-hardened, and needs to be annealed.
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10. After annealing, the metal is soft enough to press again.
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11. Using the ball stake shown on the left with the heavy planishing hammer to fill out the form of the head.
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12. I made the tool shown on the left to shape the curved crease dividing the ear from the head.
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13. Another tool I made for this project, for shaping and rounding out the trunk.
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14. Using that same tool rotated 180° to work on the underside of the trunk.
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15. More hammering on the ears.