Also known as cire Perdue, the artist starts with a full-sized model of the sculpture made in clay. A silicon rubber mould is taken from the clay pattern, which is then held in place by a plaster jacket of many pieces.

Once a mould is obtained, a wax (hollow for larger sculptures which reduces the weight of the final piece as well as the financial cost due to less bronze being used) is then cast from the mould. For a hollow sculpture, a core is then cast into the void, and is retained in position (after wax melting) by pins of the same metal used for casting.

One or more wax runners are added to conduct the molten metal into the sculpture -directing the liquid metal from a pouring cup to the bottom of the sculpture. Additional runners or risers may be added to vent any gases within the mould. The complete wax structure is then encased in ceramic shell. This method has become a more acceptable means of mould making over the traditional investment method due to the reduction in weight of the final mould.

The mould is heated in a kiln until the wax runs out and any moisture within the mould removed. This is important, as any moisture remaining within the mould would result in an explosive situation where the hot metal would be ejected from the mould by steam and vapour.

The ceramic mould is placed in a pre-heat kiln prior to pouring the bronze, to prevent the mould from cracking when the metal is poured at a temperature of between 1800f-2000f.

After the metal has cooled, the ceramic shell is chipped away, taking care not to damage the surface of the sculpture, revealing an image of the wax form, including core pins, runners, and risers. All of these are removed with an angle grinder and tool marks are fettled away. Any interior core material is removed to reduce the likelihood of interior corrosion. Incomplete voids created by gas pockets or ceramic shell inclusions are then corrected by welding and grinding. Small defects where runners and risers were attached are filed or ground down and polished.

All that is left is for the piece to be patinated to the artist's desired colour.