Wyland Art Terminology
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Bronze
An alloy traditionally composed of copper and tin. Bronze is of exceptional historical interest and still finds wide applications. It is harder than copper, more fusible, and easier to cast. It is also harder than pure iron and far more resistant to corrosion.
Bronze Sculpture
Bronze sculptures are created through an indirect process. Wyland designs the original artwork in wax or clay, then a fine art foundry reproduces it using a multi-step procedure called "lost wax" investment casting. Each sculpture is constructed individually and each step, including molding, pattern making, investment, pouring, tool, assembly, and patination, is done by hand. Just one bronze casting can command the attention of up to a dozen skilled artisans and can take several weeks for the art foundry to complete. Successful sculptors are generally considered experts in the form, detail and behavior of their subject. This expertise is evident in their work, as the subject is recreated in a way that is both accurately portrayed and artistically appealing.
Brush Stroke
A form of drawing that is executed entirely with brush and usually in a wash. It is the favorite technique in Oriental painting.
Casting
In the process of creating a bronze sculpture, a wax reproduction of the original clay sculpture is covered in a rock-hard ceramic casting shell or "investment." When the wax has been melted out, the shell will serve as a mold for the molten bronze. When the bronze has hardened the shell is carefully broken away and cleaned from the casting. Channels through which the bronze was poured, called "sprues," are cut off and all parts are sandblasted to prepare for reassembly.
Chasing
A method of finishing bronze casts by removing small imperfections and smoothing rough spots. Often, the metal surfaces are embossed, hollowed, or engraved with steel tools to recreate the artist's subtle surface texture.
Cibachrome
Cibachrome is a color print material that allows high-resolution printing directly from color transparency film, slides, or digital files, and eliminates the need for costly, time-consuming, and resolution-robbing inter-negatives. These extremely fade-resistant prints offer first-generation sharpness, are generally glossy in finish, but can also be matte, depending on the artistÕs preference. For a more textured appearance, the artist can paint highlights directly onto the print by hand. This additional work often makes the print more unique in the eyes of collectors.
Commission
Commission an original Wyland of your choice. By following a guideline description, you can choose the type of painting you want, including the colors and types of marine life. You can even specify the setting: an open ocean piece, above and below, or with reef.
Conservation Copy
Wyland is well known as a Conservation Artist. When denoting separate categories for Limited Edition Prints, such as Artists Proofs or Printers Proofs, Wyland will occasionally denote a Conservation Copy category.
