Koi - Nishikigoi - Carp

Inspired by the beauty of the living jewels



Study for the large koi sculpture. Special attention to the mouth and head confirmation. If you are having problems viewing the video here please click on koi video


The video was take by another submitter to youtube.com, great underwater koi video


More work on the barbels


The first mouth was much larger, but after viewing the live koi up close, I notice that the skin around the mouth got very thin as the koi's mouth grew larger. By creating such a thin area with bronze, I was only inviting problem; therefore, I decided to limit the size of the open mouth.


more whisker/barbel images


The dorsal fin needed to be restructured after having the tip constantly break off.	The fins are being added back to the torso once it was secured to the armature.


Koi with out fins...	looking better


head shot ... painters tap is used to protect the scales from dripping hot clay.	Placement for the Caudal or Tail


Working on the anal fin	oop, image out of place, but you get the idea...


No clue what I am doing here...	Trying to look busy...


oh, more work on the anal fin	To sculpt the fins I use about 5 different tools





belly view	trying to get the body to set


working on the fins...


The koi's mouth was wide enough to fit a 3/4" diameter pipe, it will be used to support the sculpture while the mold is made. The length of the pipe is about 12"

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