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information on clothed and conventional portraiture, as well as
other fine art services, please visit the main studio site through
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Fine
Art Nude Portraits and Figures |
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All
images and content
© Joshua Diedrich 2005 |
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"Perfection
is finally attained not when there is no longer anything
to add but when there is no longer anything to take away,
when a body has been stripped down to its nakedness”
~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery
THE
WORKING PROCESS
The
process of creating a high-quality original
drawing, painting or sculpture takes time and
involvement. Sometimes, a model or client has
a very specific idea about what they want, other
times they are looking for some suggestions
or ideas on things like pose, placement or what
it is they want the final piece to express.
The first step in any artistic commission is
discussion. We work with clients to help them
to understand and create something in line with
their vision and tastes. These discussions may
be brief, or may involve several meetings. Based
on the outcome, we will collect some reference
materials- photos, video, or modelling sessions
as needed and produce some sketches or proposals.
We can provide a rough estimate of costs at
this point. |
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After
discussing initial ideas, the client and Joshua
will settle on a plan for the sculpture. This
may just be a matter of the client approving
Joshua's design, or he may help direct a dialogue
with everyone involved to hone the idea for
the finished sculpture. Once this is accomplished,
the client will approve the plan, we'll discuss
materials, costs, privacy, copyrights, and agree
to and sign a simple working contract. At this
point, we will also take a first working advance
on payment, usually around 50% of the final
estimated price, although this can vary by job
and client needs. This deposit is generally
non-refundable once work has begun. Sculpture
requires a large investment of time and material
to produce, much more than other artwork, and
some start-up money is usually vital in order
to proceed. Steps one and two may be accomplished
over lunch, or may require several meetings,
depending on what the client needs. |
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Joshua
will begin work either on a smaller model
of the final piece called a maquette
or bozetto to fine-tune the design,
or proceed directly on the finished piece
in clay, depending on the scale and the client's
needs. This sculpting phase may require several
days, weeks, or months, depending on the scale
of the piece. At this point our studio will
handle most logistics of production, using
the advance to procure necessary materials
and services (receipts can be made available).
The client may be called upon for more reference
material, information, or modeling if necessary.
How
much time the model has to dedicate to the
process will depend on the size and complexity
of the piece, as well as what the client wants.
1:6 scale piece can be done very accurately
from photos and one or two live sessions,
life-size pieces may require the model to
be available for two or three additonal sessions,
depending on the level of realism the client
wants. Modelling sessions can be spread out
to fit with the model's schedule.
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During
the sculpting process if desired, and once
the piece is completed, the client will be
called in to approve the piece, suggest changes,
and otherwise comment on the sculpture. Once
everyone is happy with the final result, the
client will approve the sculpture for production.
At this point, we will take a second, production
advance on payment, to cover the final creation
of the bronze, marble, or whatever medium
has been decided upon. This amount will vary
depending on the costs involved.
We
will hire for and supervise the final production
of the piece. The actual production of final
sculpture in metal or stone is typically done
by skilled artisans who specialize in working
those materials, as it has been for hundreds
of years. The final piece should be identitical
in every detail to the clay production piece
as approved. The client will have the opportunity
to approve the final piece. This production
process generally takes a month or more to
accomplish for a portrait size piece, and
several months for large pieces or stonework.
We often work with Alchemist
Foundry in Kalamazoo Michigan.
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The client is
generally responsible for securing a location for the piece,
although we can consult if necessary. The client is also
generally responsible for providing a base or pedestal as
necessary unless we've discussed otherwise, and is responsible
for any logistics of transportation or physical installation
as necessary. We can help arrange these things, but do not
pay for them unless that's been negotiated into the initial
price. Many of these logistical concerns only apply to very
large-scale sculptures. If a piece is something we can deliver
and set up without hiring a crane, we will of course do
so. Payment is due upon delivery of the finished piece.
Custom comissioned artwork is not returnable or refundable.
Workmanship is guaranteed against defects.
Every
piece and every client is different, but the steps
above are a good general guide to how most commissioned
sculpture is produced today. None of these are rules
set in stone, and I try to work with every client
to insure that we both come away with a good experience,
and a great piece of sculpture. If you have any
questions or concerns about the basic process, or
would like to discuss how your particular sculpture
or drawing might be executed, please feel free to
contact me any time.
Joshua
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| “I’d
love to have a sculpture of myself so that I can look
back when I’m eighty and have a record of what I
looked like. A part of me can stay young and beautiful
forever.”
Christine, 24, Dancer
Kalamazoo, MI USA- |
“It’s
much nicer than taking photographs of your body or something
like that. There’s no Playboy or Penthouse quality.
This is a real piece of art, like you could see in a museum,
but of your own body.
Keiko, 24, Student
Tokyo, Japan- |
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