| Copper sculpture is a very old art form and in the | | | | that allows the indents on the surface to be either |
| Americas it can be traced back to Purepecha Indians | | | | raised or lowered. |
| of Central Mexico. The first shaping of copper was | | | | Before the welding begins, the final finish is applied to |
| done to create farming and domestic implements and | | | | the individual pieces. The color options are chocolate |
| weapons by hammering copper ingots into shape. | | | | brown, wine read, running black streaks and the |
| Modern copper sculptures are created using | | | | standard bright polished finish. Since the finish is given |
| techniques and technology far advanced from the | | | | to individual pieces one at a time in the forge, the |
| beginnings of the art form. While many technologies | | | | final patinas will always have small variances. If he so |
| may be used, the most common and popular is to | | | | desires the artist can remove the natural patina |
| creates a sculpture by shaping separate pieces of | | | | through buffing and leave behind the shiny surface. A |
| copper sheeting then weld them together. This allows | | | | piece of copper sculpture with a shiny finish will |
| the sculptor to produce as large a piece as he | | | | require regular polishing to maintain the shine. |
| desires. | | | | The artist may add silver decoration to the copper |
| The process begins with the forming of the copper | | | | sculpture by etching a design on the surface to the |
| sheets into bowl shapes. This allows the sculptor to | | | | shaped pieces and dipping them into an electrically |
| then heat the forms and hammer them into the | | | | charged bath which fuses the two metals together. |
| rough desired shape. If gaps appear in the metal | | | | Copper sculptures are often given a clear lacquer |
| during the shaping process, these are filed using | | | | finish to protect the metal from the elements. |
| welding rods. The artist usually works with a paper | | | | Once all the pieces are complete in every details, the |
| pattern to guide him in both the initial sheet metal | | | | welding process begins. In the case of copper this is |
| cutting process and well as in the shaping. Most | | | | usually done by a process called tig welding where a |
| artists making copper sculptures do not use highly | | | | filler rod is heated by tungsten gas to fix the pieces |
| detailed sketches, but rather rougher free hand | | | | in place. |
| drawings so the if, in the process of shaping the | | | | Copper sculpture is suitable for both indoor and |
| metal, the emerging shapes offer new opportunities, | | | | outdoor use. Copper is a favorite material of artists |
| he can quickly modify the sketch to have an idea of | | | | who specialize in modern or abstract art. Except in |
| the end result of any mid course changes. | | | | the case of sculptures with a polished finish, copper |
| The individual parts are worked on till they take their | | | | sculpture requires no maintenance except for a |
| final shape. Any rework after the welding is done | | | | simple dusting or wipe down with a damp cloth. The |
| may damage the welds. Any surface irregularities are | | | | use of cleaning agents is not recommended as they |
| removed by hammering with a unique rocking motion | | | | may affect the finish of the metal. |