American Artisan Art > Brass Sculptures
Brass Sculptures
The Use of Beautiful Brass in Sculptures
Brass is an alloy metal consisting of both copper and zinc which is often used for sculptures. Since it contains copper, it is a gold colored metal, as well as one which will patina in the same way as copper itself, if the piece isn't finished to protect the natural color. However, many people actually prefer the appearance of naturally aged brass over the brighter color is has when it is new. Artists who do prefer the bright color of new brass can select from many different protective finishes for their pieces. It is a softer metal that can be handled in sculptures in a manner similar to copper. There are actually many different types of brass, which vary in their alloy composition.
Examples of Brass Sculpture
Brass can be used to make beautiful sculptures with the color of gold, and as such, many formal pieces of tend to be made from it. There are also many large pieces that utilize brass, due to the fact that it can be welded to form large shapes, or can be connected with screws and nuts in order to form larger structures. Intricate sculptures are also commonly formed using brass, especially those using thin brass sheets or brass wire, which are easy to twist and shape into intricate formations. This technique is often used to form miniature sculptures which can be worn as jewelry. It can be cast, and as such many smaller table sculptures are made from brass. Its rich gold color, although often desired for formal pieces, can also be used for more rustic sculptures, especially due to the patina it develops as it weathers. This weathering process often makes it a popular choice for outdoor sculptures.
History of Brass Sculptures
The methods for making brass sculptures are actually thousands of years old, as they were made even by early civilizations. Methods commonly used today for creating sculptures from brass include sand-casting as well as lost-wax. Brass can also be used in other different ways similar to copper during the sculpting process, by bending, hammering and cutting.
Challenges of Using Brass in Sculptures
Although brass casting methods are usually beyond the level of the average home artist, professional artists who work in brass use the techniques quite effectively. When used in thinner formats, brass has the same types of limitations as does copper, due to its level of softness. Unless the natural patina that brass develops is desired, the artist will need to either apply a finish coat, or choose a chemical wash that imparts the type of patina that is desired for the finished piece. Strengths of Brass as a Sculpture Material The light yellow color of brass, similar to that of gold, makes it an attractive metal for use in art, either by itself, or as an accent color for pieces using other types of metals. Due to the copper content in brass, it is a softer metal which is malleable, so it can be hammered or bent when it needs to be shaped. Just as copper does, sculptures created from brass will develop an interesting patina over time, unless finishes are applied to prevent this natural process.
Brass is an alloy metal consisting of both copper and zinc which is often used for sculptures. Since it contains copper, it is a gold colored metal, as well as one which will patina in the same way as copper itself, if the piece isn't finished to protect the natural color. However, many people actually prefer the appearance of naturally aged brass over the brighter color is has when it is new. Artists who do prefer the bright color of new brass can select from many different protective finishes for their pieces. It is a softer metal that can be handled in sculptures in a manner similar to copper. There are actually many different types of brass, which vary in their alloy composition.
Examples of Brass Sculpture
Brass can be used to make beautiful sculptures with the color of gold, and as such, many formal pieces of tend to be made from it. There are also many large pieces that utilize brass, due to the fact that it can be welded to form large shapes, or can be connected with screws and nuts in order to form larger structures. Intricate sculptures are also commonly formed using brass, especially those using thin brass sheets or brass wire, which are easy to twist and shape into intricate formations. This technique is often used to form miniature sculptures which can be worn as jewelry. It can be cast, and as such many smaller table sculptures are made from brass. Its rich gold color, although often desired for formal pieces, can also be used for more rustic sculptures, especially due to the patina it develops as it weathers. This weathering process often makes it a popular choice for outdoor sculptures.
History of Brass Sculptures
The methods for making brass sculptures are actually thousands of years old, as they were made even by early civilizations. Methods commonly used today for creating sculptures from brass include sand-casting as well as lost-wax. Brass can also be used in other different ways similar to copper during the sculpting process, by bending, hammering and cutting.
Challenges of Using Brass in Sculptures
Although brass casting methods are usually beyond the level of the average home artist, professional artists who work in brass use the techniques quite effectively. When used in thinner formats, brass has the same types of limitations as does copper, due to its level of softness. Unless the natural patina that brass develops is desired, the artist will need to either apply a finish coat, or choose a chemical wash that imparts the type of patina that is desired for the finished piece. Strengths of Brass as a Sculpture Material The light yellow color of brass, similar to that of gold, makes it an attractive metal for use in art, either by itself, or as an accent color for pieces using other types of metals. Due to the copper content in brass, it is a softer metal which is malleable, so it can be hammered or bent when it needs to be shaped. Just as copper does, sculptures created from brass will develop an interesting patina over time, unless finishes are applied to prevent this natural process.
