Refining the Wave Form

Once the basic form has been established I then continue carving. I improved the wave on the right making it more delicate and carving up under the wave. The left side then had to be balanced making the form swing towards the front and a smaller wave lifting at the left side from underneath. the central double spiral then needed opening up and defining. This is where the plastercine model comes into its own as the edges of the spiral at the front need to match up with the edges at the back correctly to form a Mobius strip (it is really easy to get them wrong and form a figure of eight). I increased the concave curve of the inner surfaces to emphasise the sharpness and clarity of the edges as they pass through the centre.

This process takes me a number of days to allow time for the carving and to take time to stop and think about the form. To bring a fresh eye to it and check the balance and flow, and to check the spirals are even smooth curves. At this point the form is nearly complete but has not been smoothed.