Quite a few clients ask about modelling sculptures from photos, especially salvaged architectural pieces, fragments or other designs they saw somewhere in person or in print.
Why does someone need a custom model when there are salvaged pieces around?
Salvaged pieces, when they are available can sometimes work, but of course finding the size, design and configuration one wants for a new or restoration project is almost impossible, especially if the project involves the need for several of the same design, mirrored pairs, undamaged pieces and so forth.
The salvaged pieces of course come with a hefty price-tag, mostly due to their being antiques, collectable, one-of-a-kind and other intrinsic values such as sentiments due to where they originated from, or by whom they were made.
The prices on salvaged pieces are now at the fine-art level where I can offer competitive prices on a custom model designed the way the clients wants. One does not have to settle for "whats available" and paying premium dollars for it no matter what condition it might be in, or that it might be caked in toxic lead paint.
Make no mistake, custom models are not for the client hoping to duplicate something they have for $100 or $200. The average set up, design and modelling of a sculpture takes around 20 to 30 hours. This depends on many factors of course and some will be less, while others will take more.
As such, and due to mold material costs, custom modelling
starts at $1,250 this includes all materials for the model, and up to
30 hours of setup and modelling time. Most models come under that 30
hours.
Change-orders, alterations or additional time modelling past 30 hours is $60 per hour.
I do not charge for the initial design/consultation time, and this is not part of the 30 hours.
Once the model is approved and finished, there is phase 2; the mold making, this is charged on a 50% of the materials cost plus time basis as I retain all molds and rights to the designs produced in my studio.
The exception is for designs of a personalized nature
which I simply cannot use, i.e. a family crest, or if the design is
such I feel it has no use to me and doesnt fit my line.
Then the client pays the full cost for time/materials but the mold is destroyed or stored for the client for subsequent casts.
Casts are generally priced based on similar sized/weight/complexity pieces I produce, and will vary somewhat depending on material, finish etc.
Shipping is FedEx ground, or via freight truck for
heavier pieces/quantities. Shipping several sculptures crated on a
pallet via truck can be cheaper than shipping several boxes via FedEx,
the break-even point is around 500#. Truck shipments are FOB via a
loading dock here to your business, loading dock or residence.
Truck shipment pickups are arranged and paid for to the trucking agent
directly by the client providing them with the information I provide
the client when the shipment is ready- weight, size, crated/palletized,
class etc.
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Finished Model for that Chicago townhouse
Crating & Shipping a sculpture to a client
Custom casts installed by a client's masons
Personal project, winged lion, after a 1914 Louis Sullivan design, executed for the Merchant's bank in Grinnel Iowa, attributed to Kristian Schneider of Chicago. Hand built hollow, 56" high, 850#, red clay.
Last updated on Dec 3rd, 2010
