The two portraits of American Mark Reynolds and Brazilian Torben Grael, show the two athletes receiving their medals in 2000 and 2004 respectively. Sourcing adequate reference material to allow them to be depicted as accurately as possible presented somewhat of a challenge for sculptor Chris Wormald, as it was not feasible to arrange a sitting and given that the portraits were to show each of them 10 and 15 years ago, the challenge was to interpret the character from the available photographic records of the time.
To sculpt a portrait is an interesting process, which, unlike depicting something in two dimensions, where space is the illusory constituent, a sculpted portrait must from the outset, take account simultaneously of all 360 degrees. One of the challenges when working from a few two dimensional reference images is that 90% of the information required is not actually there. So the task is to seamlessly create, not only a believable head and likeness, but to attempt to imbue the head with a sense of the specific personality and dynamic character of the person. It is this aspect, the dynamic movement and articulation of form, which is actually recognisable as a particular personality, rather than simply the surface form, and this is the skill of portraiture, to capture the essence of a thing or personality.
Sculpting a portrait depends on interpreting and rendering a person’s subtle nuances and bringing them to the attention of the audience. The portraits of Mark Reynolds and Torben Grael where required in a short space of time leaving only a matter of a few weeks to complete the sculpting, create the bodies, produce the wax, fit eyes and finally implant the hair and apply colour.
Our wax production technique is unique and differs from that of other studios such as Tussauds and we believe offers a more lifelike final finish. We also offer figures in grp and silicone, and conservation grade mannequins, all bespoke to suit the requirements and expectations of our discerning clients.
We have for the past 25 years produced sculpted works in a scales, themed environments, props and replicas, models, mannequins and costumes for museums and leisure attractions worldwide under the critical eye of senior partner and sculptor Chris Wormald.
Chis Wormald trained at Falmouth School of Art and St Martins School of Art and was awarded a sculpture fellowship in Lincoln and has produced public works of art, teaches drawing and sculpture, and delivers talks and demonstrations on Drawing and Exploring Modes of Perception.
