The commission process based on a long haired Dachshund called Monty.

Last week I was delighted to welcome new clients with a gorgeous long haired dachshund called Monty into my studio.

Before we discussed the details involving measurements, clay material, features, angle and pose that the client has chosen, I spent time getting to know Monty and understanding his personality. Having dogs my whole life and with 2 currently in my family, it's really important to understand the dog and their character, it helps me build a strong vision in my mind of how the dog will 'sit' and for the dog to trust me and the process.

Monty was instantly settled in the environment so I began to show a portfolio of work have built over the years with private commissions. Some clients find this helpful and often inspires them in new ways of thinking for the outcome, but I always ensure the client/s have the final word as it's a life long feature that I want them cherish.

Once the details had been finalised, we then got Monty to be relaxed ensuring he comfortably holds the pose the owners would like him to be for the sculpture. I then took lots of photos of him at different angles.

That weekend, I began building a mood board of Monty. I then proceeded to make a half sized clay sculpture of Monty, as seen below.

Being communicative throughout the process is key. I ensure regular updates are sent to Monty's owners to show development and progress and respond to any feedback. When it is finished I’ll take it to the Foundry and cast him into bronze…watch this space for more updates over the coming weeks!