The finalization of the Lucas sculpture.

Back to the foundry this morning. Lucas had his shoe laces and Miguel was already beginning the patina. Patina is the color of the bronze and is created by putting different chemicals on the hot metal. Miguel first sandblast Lucas. This changes Lucas from that shiny metal color in the previous photographs. First Miguel puts chemicals on Lucas that makes him look very black. Later he comes in and rubs away the black revealing the metal beneath.

This is a traditional patina. And I have indicated to the foundry to alternate hightlights. The cape that Lucas has on will be dark, but his t-shirt will be light. There will be some dark color showing the engraving on his shirt that says ALABAMA! His jean shorts are dark and because they have a texture, my trademark, they retain more color. His shoes are dark, socks are light and the base is dark. This alternating of colors helps the different elements to pop.

I have indicated to the foundry to pull some brown into lucas and they accomplish this by adding a bit of brown shoe polish to the hot metal. When it is complete the foundry man applies some paste wax to the hot metal to seal the sculpture. Lucas will be cool in the morning and I can pick him up.

While I was out and about I also picked up a chain for Jeanine's neck. They have not begun to patina Jeanine yet, but she is to be ready in the morning as well. Looks like Jeanine and Lucas will be home for Christmas.