Thursday, June 6, 2013

Miniature Bronze Cottage Figurine and Micros


I just released a new miniature bronze figurine that is a small Woodland Cottage, issue price $125.00. This piece is only a ½ of an inch tall and has cut out windows and door. I wanted a see through effect. The back of the cottage is open and will accommodate two insert sculptures, A & B, $40.00 each. Below you will find a variety of pictures and videos showing the work in greater detail.

Also I am offering two new micro sculptures that are ¼ inch tall. One of a snowman and other a black cat on a pumpkin. These really small pieces are always in high demand because they work in the popular ¼ scale world of collecting. Plus, some collectors prefer this really small size for their collections.

The casting failure rate of the cottage inserts and micros is something like 70%. So I have to try casting them again in a couple of months. If interested, place your order with your dealer so I know how many to try and make.

Thanks for collecting,

Randall Zadar
Zadar Studios


Miniature Figurine - Dollhouse Figurine
Miniature Figurine - Dollhouse Figurine

Miniature Figurine - Dollhouse Figurine

Miniature Figurine - Dollhouse Figurine

Woodland Cottage
 
Cottage with insert A
 
Cottage with insert B
 
Micro Snowman and Micro Black Cat
 
 
Zadar Studios 
 

Monday, April 1, 2013

Best Friends - New Miniature Collectible

I just released "Best Friends" a new miniature figurine. This bronze-cast and hand-painted miniature collectible stands at 7/8ths of an inch. The piece is based on a old figurine my parents found in an antique shop many years ago. I always liked the interaction between the boy and the dog. Reminds me of some of the Lee pieces I made years ago.

Here is a picture of the original full sized piece. I am not sure who the original artist is because I can't read the name on the base. The piece is cast in resin and probably made in the 70's.



Original - 8" Tall

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Now here is my miniature bronze version that is under one inch in height.

"Best Friends" - Miniature - 7/8" Tall




I think it is fun to see the two pictures together. I made some changes in my version but basically followed the idea. I came up with my own coloration as the original was very subtle and almost has no color.

Best Friends was made in an edition of 75 pieces and is now retired. Available at your Zadar Miniatures Dealer. Issue price is $95.00. Signed and numbered on the bottom. Thanks for looking.

Randall Zadar
http://www.zadarstudios.com


Zadar Miniatures Dealers:
Shoalts Collectibles
Through The Keyhole
Larrianne's Small Wonders
Miniature Designs

Friday, February 22, 2013

Carolina Wren and Sculpting the Macaw Update

Just released from the studio is the Carolina Wren Miniature Figurine. This was inspired by a pair of Wrens that come every year and build a nest by the studio door. I really enjoy watching them fly back and forth. They also hop on the ground with their tails standing straight up. The first time I noticed one I thought it was a mouse. They are a small bird and are really entertaining to watch. Here are some quick pictures of the miniature bronze figurine. The piece stands 7/8" tall. Now available at your Zadar Miniatures Dealer. Limited Edition of 75 pieces and issue price is $95.00

Miniature Figurine - Dollhouse Figurine
 
Miniature Figurine - Dollhouse Figurine

Here is an update on the wax sculpting of the Macaw Master. I am starting to add some detail to the feathers. I also made some subtle changes to the body posture. I am having trouble sculpting the feathers because putting the slightest pressure on the piece causes the bird to break off from the base. When this happens, much detail is lost because the piece has to be melted back together. Working with wax can be a real challenge sometimes. The piece is about 60% done.


Miniature Figurine - Dollhouse Figurine
 
Miniature Figurine - Dollhouse Figurine

Miniature Figurine - Dollhouse Figurine

I hope to have this Macaw done in time for the Chicago International Show. I will post more updates in the near future.

Update: Here is the finished piece:

Miniature Figurine

There has been a feature story about my work just published in American Miniaturist Magazine, available at most miniature and hobby shops.

Thanks for reading.

Randall Zadar/Sculptor
Miniature Figurine

Zadar Studios Dealers
Order the Wren and Other Pieces:

Shoalts Collectibles - Marlene Shoalts - 419-836-9227

Zadar Studios Dealer

Larrianne's Small Wonders - Larrianne Hilditch - 805-289-1508
Zadar Studios Dealer

    Miniature Designs - Beverly Simon - 800-413-2040
Zadar Studios Dealer

Friday, February 1, 2013

Natural Bronze Horses

I just finished the two Natural Bronze versions of Dressage and Born Free. These required a considerable amount of work to prepare the surface for the natural bronze patina. Below are some of the steps I take to complete this process. I start by grinding off any imperfections on the surface. This takes time.

Miniature Figurine

Next step, I dip each piece in a chemical solution that gives them a rich brown color.

Miniature Figurine

The next step is to polish them to bring out the highlights and brighten the beautiful color of the bronze.

Miniature Figurine

The last step is to seal the finish. This preserves the color and locks in the patina. Also gives the pieces a slight gloss. The pieces are now ready to be signed on the bottom and boxed.

If you are interested in these pieces, check with your dealer. Issue price is $75.00 each. Height is 7/8" tall. These pieces look great in a collection or a miniature setting.

Miniature Figurine

Thanks for reading,

Randall Zadar/Sculptor
Zadar Studios

Thursday, January 24, 2013

New Display - Sculpting Update

A new display is now available for your Zadar Miniatures Collection. This is a three level wood display that can hold a variety of pieces. The display can also be mounted on the wall if you like. Looks good on a shelf, counter or in your display case. The black color really makes the pieces stand out. I put one in my display case and I can't believe how nice the pieces look on it. Size is 4-1/2 x 4-1/2. Here is a picture. Retail price $25.00. Available at your dealer. Other displays available.

Here is an update on the Mariner Wax Master. I added the some detail to the wheel and you can now see the water rushing all around the deck during the storm.

Zadar Miniature

I started a new sculpture. Everyone knows the famous story of the Pied Piper. I think this piece already has a great look. I have about four sculpting sessions into it so far.

Zadar Miniature

Here is another new sculpture. Enter the amazing miniature world of Lilliput. Here is Gulliver walking through the village. Good potential here to push some miniature ideas.

Zadar Miniature

Thanks for looking. Let me know what you think of these ideas.

Randall Zadar/Sculptor
 
Zadar Studios

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Painting Miniatures - Final Step - Signing

Now that the bottoms have been painted and sealed, I can sign my name and add the serial number. These mice pieces are a Special Edition so there will be no serial number added. Instead I added the words "Special Edition" below my signature. This seems like no big deal but imagine signing your name about 100 times in a tiny space. Here is a picture of the signed bases. A side note, if you ever see me at a show or event, bring your pieces and I will add my first name to the bottom.

Miniature Fugurine
 
Now the pieces are inspected one last time and placed inside a protective plastic bag. The last step is to put the pieces inside the box as shown here.
 
Miniature Figurine
 
They are now completed after the long journey through the studio. They are now shipped to the dealers and hopefully find a nice home in your collection. If you have read all the blog entries about the production of these two pieces, you will understand why they cost what they do and why they are so rare. I hope you have enjoyed this studio tour.
 
Here is the production total for these pieces:
"Blast-Off" 48 pieces, Issue price $75.00, Retired.
"Ice Cream" 50 pieces, Issue price $75.00, Retired.
 
This was a low production run of 50 pieces and less. Normally I produce 75 pieces. That is why it is a Special Edition. If you are interested in these, you can try and contact these two dealers and see if they have any left:
 
Zadar Studios Dealer
 
Zadar Studios Dealer
 
Thanks for reading.
Randall Zadar
Sculptor/Zadar Studios
 
 
 
 


Friday, January 11, 2013

Painting Miniatures - Bottoms and Boxes

Now that the pieces are painted and varnished, they must be removed from the painting sticks and the bottoms finished. This is another time consuming step that must be done carefully. Here is a picture of three pieces removed from the stick. You can see the wax I use to hold the pieces onto the sticks. This wax must be carefully removed with a sharp knife.

Miniature Figurine

Here are the pieces all removed from the sticks. The bases are cleaned and ready for the next step.

Miniature Figurine

Next I put them upside down in a special foam tray. This allows me to work on the bottoms without damaging the pieces. I now hand apply a sealer to the exposed bronze on the bottom and allow it to completely dry.

Miniature Figurine

Next, I mix up some more gold paint and carefully paint each bottom with a small brush.

Miniature Figurine

Here are all the bottoms painted gold. They now are allowed to dry. The next step is to varnish the gold paint to protect and seal the paint.

Miniature Figurine

While the bottoms dry, I start work on the boxes. Here I use a label machine and print the custom labels. I then carefully apply the labels to the boxes.

Miniature Figurine

Miniature Figurine

The next step is to sign each piece and box them up for shipping. That will be the final update for these pieces.

Thanks for reading,
Randall Zadar
Sculptor/Zadar Studios
www.zadarstudios.com

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Painting Miniatures - Gold Work

The last painting step is the hardest of all, the gold trim. I have come to dread this step because at this point I am starting to get really sick of working on the pieces and then I have to paint the gold. The paint has to be mixed perfectly so that it flows without brush marks and does not run off the line. If it bleeds off the line, it can be extremely difficult to remove. Great care and a steady hand is needed for this job. The concentration wears me out sometimes.

On one painting stick that has three pieces, I timed myself to paint the gold trim. Took me 27 minutes to paint three. As I work and get the rhythm down, I can speed up some but not much. I use a stopwatch to challenge myself like a contest to see if I can improve. This is a little trick I use on tough pieces.

Here is a picture of the gold paint mixed just right.

Miniature Figurine

Here are some pictures of "Blast-Off" and "Ice Cream" with the gold trim painted.

Miniature Figurine

Miniature Figurine

Miniature Figurine

Miniature Figurine

You can see how much the gold trim really improves the look of the pieces and gives them a nice finished look. After the gold trim is done, the pieces are allowed to completely dry. Then I spray each one with a matt varnish. Because the pieces are handled, they need a protective coating and the varnish does the trick. The varnished pieces are allowed to dry then onto the next step. More updates will follow.

Thanks for reading.
Randall Zadar
Sculptor/Zadar Studios
www.zadarstudios.com

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Painting Miniatures Update - Final Steps

I have reached the final painting steps on the two special edition mice pieces. Since the last update, I completed the bows, grass and face details. You can see that each color step must be planned out so the colors layer correctly and cut over others. Everything has to be done in order so the pieces come out the best they can be.

Here are some pictures of the pieces up to this point. The last step was dotting the eyes. Amazing how the position of the eye can change the look of the entire piece. The eyes are a very important step that must be done correctly. The last painting step is the dreaded gold work. This is the hardest step of all and requires the steadiest of hand. Updates will follow.



  
 
Thanks for looking,
Randall Zadar
Sculptor/Zadar Studios
 
 




Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Painting Miniatures Update

Work is progressing on the two Special Edition mice figurines, "Blast Off" and "Ice Cream." Here I have progressed a few more painting steps that you can see. I am about half done with these pieces. Next, I need to work on the bow, ice cream and grass. Updates will follow.

 
 
 
 
 

Thanks for looking,
Randall Zadar
Sculptor/Zadar Studios
www.zadarstudios.com