What Makes a Bespoke Bust Truly Lifelike
By Ava Bennett • March 1, 2025
When a portrait bust feels “alive,” it’s rarely due to one detail. Instead, it’s the harmony of proportions, planes, and expression. Here’s the checklist we use at London Bust Studio when transforming photos into dimensional sculpture.
1) Proportional relationships
We begin with distances—eye to brow, nose to lip, ear to jaw. Small adjustments here make or break likeness. We block these forms broadly and refine.
2) Planes and light
We establish crisp planes that catch light correctly: cheek to zygomatic, glabella to brow ridge, philtrum to upper lip. A bust should read well from six feet away.
3) Expression and micro‑asymmetry
Likeness emerges from asymmetry: a favored eyebrow, the hint of a smile, the tilt of the head. We retain these quirks intentionally.
4) Texture and finish
Skin is not perfectly smooth. We alternate tools and brushes to create selective texture. Final patinas emphasize form without overpowering it.
Commissioning a bust is a collaboration. We share progress photos and invite feedback until the piece truly reflects the subject.