"Don't Push" Sculpture

This sculpture is of a robot pushing a button on a sign that says "Don't Push." I used the lost wax technique of bronze casting which I made during a bronze casting class.

The metal portion of the sculpture is made of 2 cast parts welded together: the robot and the sign. Originally, they were one part, however, when I broke open the mold, I found that only the base came out. I re-sculpted and recast the robot during the second pour. After chasing and cleaning both the robot and base using wire brushes (which wore out quickly), I got help welding the feet of the robot to the base.

I added a light liver of sulfur patina on the sculpture to change the color. If I remember correctly, a patina is a chemical that causes a controlled oxidation of metal to color and prevent the metal from oxidizing in an unwanted fashion.

I am quite pleased with the result, considering this was the first time I did bronze casting.
I will try to post some more photos of this piece when I find them.

Some people have asked me if this is an allegorical sculpture, but I assure you it isn't, as Al Gore has nothing to do with it.

Comments

[Adithyaa Designs]

where did you get bronze casting class???
if there is a metalworking class sign me up!

[robotguy4]

It was part of the outreach program at the nearby community college.

[ladycroft108]

so cool!

[robotguy4]

Thanks!

[Kaptain Kool]

This is really cool!

[robotguy4]

Thank you!

Don't forget to rate (if you want to, that is)!

[Kaptain Kool]

Thanks, I rated it 5*

[Kiteman]

I'd love to see a step-by-step of how you made this, from sculpting, through casting to patination.

[robotguy4]

I'm not sure I have enough photos to do it. I'm going to have to dig around a bit. I don't like Instructables that just describe a process. I like to see the process as well.

I was thinking of doing a series with these robots, but that would have to happen next year.

[Kiteman]

You could visit the foundry and take photos of other people doing the same thing, to fill in the gaps?

[robotguy4]

Actually, I probably have some photos of other people doing their bronze work.

I'll see what I can do.

[demonfox]

I second this, maybe some sort of- dare I say it- Instructable?