Foam Armature Enlargement
A foam armature enlargement of a sculptor's maquette provides the sculptor with a scaled up replica of their maquette. This allows the artist to add in fine detail while also requiring less clay. As a result of the solid foam, the artist no longer needs of inches of clay adding to the overall weight which can potentially sag or crack due to the weight of the clay. Instead, a layer of less than half an inch allows the artist to create detail with fewer issues and in less time.
The foam enlargement is made in a 4lb density urethane foam. Detailed 3D scanning creates a digital version of the artists maquette. The digital file is scaled up and used to create g-code for our CNC router. The router carves the foam armature according to the finished pose and scale with the same structural detail included in the maquette.
The foam is carved in sections and assembled using epoxy. Afterwards artists then can use a coat of paint on the foam that matches the color of their clay and provides a neutral base for their clay to be added and sculpted. As they add clay they can add detail or even carve away some of the foam if necessary.
Once the artist has finished adding in the fine details, the finished clay sculpture is ready to be molded. Then it begins the lost wax bronze casting process.