African Male Lion Maquette – Audubon Zoo Lion Sculpture
The lion miniature starts with a small wire armature – Audubon Zoo African Lion Sculpture
Most all of my sculptures start with a wire ‘skeleton’, even the miniatures. This lion will be only
4 1/2″ at the shoulder.
The lion is to be facing the bull, but not menacing – Audubon Zoo African Lion Sculpture
Panthera Leo evolves with a twist in his body and an outstretched back leg. In a confined setting,
I need to evoke movement without having the animals in full motion.
It’s best to start with a miniature for client approval – Audubon Zoo African Lion Sculpture
Love the warmth of my studio in the drizzly winter months of winter on the island.
Miniature near completion – Audubon Zoo African Lion Sculpture
I often want to stop sculpting when I am able to push on wads of clay and call the piece
finished… it is a much more interpretive style. But most of my commissions are requested to be
more representational, so I break out the tools.
An above view helps establish movement – Audubon Zoo African Lion Sculpture
I added the lioness for grins, but she will not be placed near him at the Zoo – Audubon Zoo African Lion Sculpture
July 17, this is the maquette in progress – Audubon Zoo African Lion Sculpture
July 17 – Audubon Zoo African Lion Sculpture
The lion maquette is scanned for milling – Audubon Zoo African Lion Sculpture
The head is complete in foam, ready for me to tool – Audubon Zoo African Lion Sculpture
October – 2 The lion body is assembled in foam – Audubon Zoo African Lion Sculpture
He is finally upright, he’s huge! – Audubon Zoo African Lion Sculpture
The lion is complete in clay and ready to ship to the foundry – Audubon Zoo African Lion Sculpture
The lions are cast and assembled and ready for patina – Audubon Zoo African Lion Sculpture
The final color! – Audubon Zoo African Lion Sculpture