Bronze Casting

Discover the mystery of bronze, from planning a sculpture to completing the sculpture in bronze. Model a figurative sculpture in wax from a life model, preparing the sculptures for mould making, including sprueing the waxes, burning out the ceramic moulds, casting the bronze, devesting the moulds, chasing and patina-ing the sculptures using metal chasing and patina techniques.

Expert figurative sculptor Clara Hali demonstrates methods, teaches skills, and guides you through this exciting process.

All materials are supplied, excluding bronze.

Note: The course fee for Bronze Casting reflects the limited number of students permitted due to safety considerations and the extended hours of this course.

The Bronze pouring will be conducted off site at Crawford Casting.

* Please note, no class is held on Saturday 8 August due to the moulds being made.

* Please note that there is no class held on Saturday 5 September due to NAS Open Day.

* Short courses are open to students of ages 16 years and over.

* Due to the workplace, health and safety requirements of this course, students will need to demonstrate the following abilities: reasonable physical strength, manual dexterity, good attention to detail and ability to follow detailed instructions.

Students must supply their own art materials, please refer to the list below.

For the first class bring the following materials:

• Old kitchen knives of varying tips (or similar tools for modelling wax)
• Sketchbook and drawing media such as a pencil to jot down notes and ideas
• Hot water bottle
• Plastic shopping bags (4 or more)
• One square meter bubble wrap
• Old wood or plastic kitchen chopping board

Enclosed footwear is essential in all studios on campus.

Clara Hali will discuss other materials in the first class, including the requirements of the bronze. The cost of bronze to each student is dependent on the weight of the sculptures to be made. Students generally spend between $120 – 160 on bronze. This will be paid on the last day of the course directly to the school by credit /debit card.

Clara Hali is one of Australia’s leading figurative sculptors. She has exhibited extensively in solo and group exhibitions for 40 years and received numerous awards and commissions.

Represented by Defiance Gallery, Sydney. Clara was awarded the Sculpture by the Sea Distinguished Invited Artist Award and has a Master of Fine Art. She exhibits regularly at Sculpture by the Sea and lectures at the National Art School. Clara has been teaching bronze casting for over 30 years.

Her work is held in many public and private collections in Australia, and internationally (New Zealand, the US, Singapore, Italy and Holland). She has public works in the Blue Mts, Cottesloe (WA), Macquarie University, and at Govt House, Sydney.