Methods
Although, many metal art techniques may be used, biological art metal is generally rendered through advanced casting processes, in particular lost wax casting processes. Cast waxes are taken from multi-part molds made from tin or platinum catalyzed silicone. The waxes are then invested in a plaster-like substance and then "burned out" at high temperatures leaving a negative space. The negative space is subsequently filled with molten metal. Vacuum, gravity or centrifugal casting may be employed. Metals are usually limited to gold, silver and bronze although stainless steel and cobalt chrome have been used. A high level of skill is needed in the preparation of molds and waxes in order to render sharp details.
Many metal artists forgo the mold and wax making steps and directly cast biological materials, but the resulting products are limited to those with burn-out characteristics similar to casting wax. For direct burn-out, favorite subjects are wooden specimens and soft insects (such as spiders) which burn out cleanly. Calcareous materials, such as hard-shell insect carapaces, sea shells, rocks, gar skins and crustaceans don't generally lend themselves to direct casting.
Read more about this topic: Biological Art Metal
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—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
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