Any sculpture created by Etienne Rayssac involves a specific, meticulous process : from the study of the subject right through to the production of the sculpture itself. A good example is the creation of these panthers in lime trees produced for a private residence.
First of all, the subject is researched and studied (consulting documents ; visiting museums, zoos etc…) to get a good feel for it before drawing a certain number of sketches then creating small-scale models.
Creating models enables us to refine lines, gestures, proportions… in order to create a plastiline model to be used as a basis for a full-scale drawing.
Starting with a block of wood, the sculptor forges ahead according to the rhythm of the material, its response and the complexity of its volumes, from the initial chainsaw attack to the finest gouge chiselling.
Little by little, the panther comes to life.
The sculptor gradually refines it with his tools, stretching the volumes, seeking lines of strength and points of light.
Then the struggle continues with force, energy, determination… refined over and over again until the material is tamed.
