How to Make a Wire Mesh Sculpture Frame
Not all sculpture is chipped out of raw stone or wood. Often, sculptures are built up around a frame with various materials, such as clay. A mesh sculpture frame allows an artist the ability to shape a sculpture before adding the clay, paper mache or other material, providing a sturdy base to work on. The mesh, in turn, must be attached to an armature, which in turn is attached to a solid base to provide stability. Once the wire mesh is attached to the armature, it can be shaped as needed to provide the "skeleton" of the final sculpture.
Things You'll Need
- Wooden slats
- Screwdriver and screws
- Dowel
- Saw
- Drill
- Wooden base or board
- Wood glue
- Staple gun
- Ruler
- Wire mesh
- Wire cutters
Instructions
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Build the Armature
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1
Measure the wooden slats to the dimensions you desire. Use one as the vertical axis and the other as the horizontal axis, forming a cross shape.
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2
Glue the two pieces together and allow the glue to dry completely, following the manufacturer's instructions.
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3
Screw the slats together where you glued them to provide further strength.
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4
Drill a hole slightly larger than your dowel into the bottom of the vertical axis and a matching hole in the top of your base board. Cut the dowel to a length that will fill both holes completely. Apply glue to both ends of the dowel, then push it into both holes. Allow to dry.
Attach Wire Mesh
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5
Shape mesh loosely around the armature in the form you desire.
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6
Staple the mesh to the top of the vertical axis.
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7
Shape the mesh more carefully, delineating features, such as a nose, that you will need later. Staple the mesh to the ends of the horizontal axis.
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8
Staple the bottom of the mesh to the base. Use wire snips to cut off excess mesh.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Once you have built the basic armature, you can attach other slats to either axis to form a more complicated figure, such as a raised arm. Simply glue the slat to the appropriate angle and screw it tight. The appearance of the armature is not important; it is just providing a basic outline for the finished sculpture.
