HSEAD STANDARDS MANUAL

FREEHAND BRONZE - Members

Trays and other accessories of exceptional merit and of sufficient size to show ability.

1. Design – 10% of points

Choose typical design of proper scale for the article which must be of authentic size and shape and correct for the category. 

The design must contain an adequate number of well bronzed and modeled motifs (fruit, flowers, shells, people, animals, etc.) and considerable stump work, brushstrokes, and other fine detail.  Stump work alone is not sufficient and will not be accepted.  Design may be applied on a metal leaf band or a painted background.

2. Base Coats of Units – 20% of points

The well drawn base coats of units to be bronzed must be smooth, without a grainy surface, and may be black, another color, or clear medium.

3. Bronzing and Overall Feeling – 25% of points

Bronzed motifs must be well drawn and skillfully modeled with fine bronzing powders creating highlights and shadows on the accurately drawn forms.  Stump work details must be well polished and shaded and must help to give proper shape and form to flowers, leaves, fruits, animals, etc.  Overall feeling must be pleasant without conspicuously brilliant or harsh areas or dull and weak ones.  The design must be well placed and all decoration must bear a proper relationship to the whole with a good balance of light and shadow.  Repeat motifs must be of the same brilliance.

4. Brushstrokes – 20% of points

Brushstrokes and fine work, either with paint or bronze powders, must demonstrate a sufficient number for judging.  Decoration other than Freehand Bronzing will be judged here according to the Requirements for the category involved.

5. Striping– 10% of points

Enough striping to show ability must be demonstrated.  It must follow the design and shape of the article being decorated, be straight and, where required, the curves be sure, smooth, even in width, and of good opaque color.  If the bronzed design is placed on a metal leaf band, there must be a stripe on each side of the band.

6. Finish and Overall Feeling – 15% of points

Finish includes the application of background paint and the varnish final coats.  Both must be free of specks and brush mark ridges.  The final varnish coat must have a smooth, hand rubbed finish.  On the better examples of freehand bronze work, the hand rubbed finish is rubbed to a high gloss.  Raw (not rubbed) varnish, dull-type varnish, and sprayed finishes will not be accepted.  All work must be done by the exhibiting member.

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