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How to Make Sculptor's Wax

Beeswax is found in nature in bee hives. Honeybees produce beeswax as a construction material. It contains hydrocarbons, esters, free alcohols and free acids. Wax is also used in candle-making and the creation of death masks, or effigies. Wax sculptures are made either by casting or by carving into hardened wax. Wax is also placed inside a mold in which metal sculptures are cast and it melts once the molten metal is poured. Prepare sculptor's wax in the same manner you prepare wax for candle-making. You need unrefined beeswax, which you can find at apiaries in your region.

Things You'll Need

  • Unrefined beeswax
  • Bucket
  • Sieve
  • Stainless steel pot
  • Metallic pot
  • Oil colors (optional)
  • Wooden stick
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wash the beeswax raw cappings to remove the honey residue and other impurities. Place the cappings under running water and then in a bucket full of water. Strain through a sieve.

    • 2

      Put the beeswax into a stainless steel pot and fill the pot with water. Place the pot in a larger pot that is half-filled with water.

    • 3

      Warm up the water over medium heat. The beeswax will start to melt, but it may take some time, due to the elevated melting point. The melting point of pure beeswax is between 143 and 145 F. Allow all blocks of wax to melt before use.

    • 4

      Remove the pot that contains wax from the fire. Tint the wax with oil colors after all wax is melted. Gradually insert drips of color until obtaining the desired shade. Mix with a wooden stick. If the wax tends to harden, bring the pot over the other pot that is filled with water and allow to melt.

    • 5

      Pour your wax in your mold, using the top cavity. If using the carving technique, pour the wax in a shape and allow to dry. Once the wax is hardened, you can start carving into the wax.

Sculpture

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