The blend of materials showcases my intricate metalworking skills inspired by the Arctic Tern, it's razorwinged agile anatomy a striking, metallic reinterpretation into a sci-fi fighter.
I start with a sheet of 1 mm thick brass plate.
First I make a rough template out of some poster board.
Once the fork is cut out,I bend it into shape and start working on the cockpit.
For that, I make a paper template to refine the overall shape.
The wings will be lined with aluminium sectioning.
All the parts will be held in place with stainless steel micro screws that are set with tiny zircon gemstones.
The idea was to eventually colour the aluminium by anodizing it, but I liked the silver/gold contrast so I will save that technique for another project.
Here the aluminium cockpit is being readied to fit the glass windows.
All the auxiliary components including the tail section have been temporarily fitted.
This is a 1.4 mm stainless steel cap screw being set with a 2 mm zircon.
This is a glass window that is being painted on a mirror so that I can see the outside as the paint is being applied.
Here is a close-up of the cockpit window.
I mount the sculpture in its final position on the base boars.
Then I hang a small piece of string with a weight attached to give me the approximate shape of the glass case I am building.
Decorative detail like the ionized spike needle cannons.
As a finishing touch, I added some gold painted rocks to the display base.
