Finishing up

Body pretty much done, so it is on to the flippers and Patination. The flippers are done the exact same way I do the body. Get the shape I am looking for, and fill in the pieces. For these I wanted the flippers to looks like they are mechanical and could actually "work" So a lot of clock gears and bike parts went into these.

Flippers done and set into place

Once I am happy with the placement, the flippers get welded into place, the mounting point on the belly gets added, and I build the head. At that point we are about done. except for cleaning and adding the patina and clear coat.

Turtle mounted to the base and is now ready for Patina

At this point we need to clean and clean and clean to prep for the patina. Once the Patina is on, time to clear coat and add some sea grass. I use acetone as well as small stainless wire wheels to get in all the small spaces to get everything clean. Remember, cleaning happens as you go as well.

Patina done.

Flywheel base has the same patina as the edge of the turtle's shell

The last thing to add is the sea grass. I used salvaged copper water pipe with a green verdigris patina. I wanted to give the sculpture a feeling of motion, so the grass looks like it is swaying in the current the turtle made as it swam by.

Grass done, clear coated and installed.

Sea turtle sculpture done. I am really happy with how this turned out. The flywheel base give plenty of weight to keep the turtle balanced and secure. The patinas turned out really nice. The entire sculpture is just over 71 pounds of scrap metal, given new life as something that will give joy for many years to come.

Eddie the Sea Turtle