Hi Fred,
I'm not too familiar with that process, but your beetle
is absolutely amazing. Keep us posted ....Janet R.

Thank you all for the words of praise. I love doing this type of work. I will keep all posted on the items I make and wish to share.

I've added this image of the back to help clarify the technique.

Fred

Fred Zweig
Metalsmith

I have nothing new to add, but must register how impressed I am. Put it on a wall! I love it!
Cynthia

I created this from heavy gauge copper sheet and pushed the metal around with steel punches and dull chisel like tools. It is sort of like car body work. Due to the small scale, I wear reading glasses and have to make a great many of the tools I use.

I have approximately 8 hours invested into this study. It is like sculpting the metal. A pine tar mixture is used to hold the metal in place while I move it around.

Fred Zweig
Metalsmith

Beautiful, love the quality of the execution. It sure shows off your skills in that one small detailed piece. You really got the depth tooled in also.

It really is great. I particulary like the shell (wings). They are glossy, smooth and give a great sense of volumn. Do you hare other "studies"? marilyn

Marilyn,

I have many different studies of metal techniques I have done over the nearly 40 years that I have been doing metalwork. Each time I taught a new technique I would make a sample or study. I did demonstrations at shows and would make FACES in silver, copper, or gold.

I recently completed a Gingko leaf plaque that I framed in an Arts & Crafts Movement style.

I will create a different post with other examples of repoussed items I have made.

Fred Zweig
Metalsmith

Thanks to you, Steve, I have just discovered what I have been practicing has a name

Giusseppe

Where to bend next ... www.metalgarden.ca

Thank you both! I enjoy using 18 gauge for this type of work. It allows me much more metal to model and distort without fear of thining the metal. I am certain I could do it in 20 gauge as well. I will soon be making boxes with critters on the lids as a series.

Best,
Fred

Fred Zweig
Metalsmith

Fred,
That is outstanding repousse! Its a very small piece to work on, gotta tweek the eyeballs a bit.
Very impressive!!
Sam

Sam,
were it not for my reading glasses I could never accomplish anything this small. It is easy to get lost in the details of an object and there is such delight in manipulating the metal back and forth. There never seems to be enough time in the day to get all that I want to accomplish and I refuse to wait until I retire to do these things. I have had too many friends die before they were able to do the things they wanted to do or make.

Best,
Fred

Fred Zweig
Metalsmith