ARTIST TECHNIQUE
Dick Kappel, sculpting Standing Deer, uses a torch to cut out two-dimensional shapes drawn on a piece of flat metal.
An oxy-acetylene torch is used to heat the metal so the figure can be sculpted into its final shape.
Human figures and wildlife sculptures
Steel less than 1/16" thick
Flat shapes are cut to size and then three-dimensionally shaped by bending and heating. Most sculptures contain two substructures for added strength. After the figure has been rough fitted, molten steel is added to the surface to complete the figure. The entire surface is heated to the metal’s melting point under the oxy-acetylene flame, and the figure while in a molten state is reformed and sculpted into its final shape.
This procedure produces a rough but continuous surface, preserved and colored by the extreme heat and with small “blowholes” randomly appearing on the surface. Further preservation and color are created by treating the sculpture with a weak solution of phosphoric acid and then coating it with a clear satin spray, highlighting the natural colors of the piece. Prolonged outdoor display is not recommended since items created by this method can trap moisture inside the sculpture, leading to oxidation.
Bear Market is an example of an open-construction sculpture.
Open-construction wildlife sculptures
Steel greater than 1/16" thick
Large straps, rods, and wire are cut from the steel using the oxy-acetylene torch. The pieces are bent into shape by heating and then welded securely into the final form. Most sculptures are finished by adding a clear satin spray to minimize oxidation, primarily for outdoor display. These pieces are weather resistant, though it is not recommended to leave them outdoors for an indefinite period unless a new finish is periodically added or a rusted appearance is desired.