Life-Size & Large Cartoon Sculptures
From 1.8 m to landmark scale — engineered for plazas, parks, storefronts and public entrances, in gloss-painted fibreglass.
Scale changes the engineering, not just the size. Anything above roughly 2.5 m needs an internal steel frame, a base design that suits the ground it stands on, and a delivery plan that accounts for how it gets there.
Below: what each scale costs and how long it takes, where a piece that size belongs, and what each material means for how long it lasts.
Size — Material — Price
| Size | FRP Fibreglass | Stainless Steel — for comparison |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5–2.0 m | $900–$5,900 | $2,500–$40,000 |
| 2.0–3.0 m | $5,000–$15,000 | $15,000–$28,000 |
| 3.0 m + | $15,000–$150,000+ | $55,000–$350,000+ |
* This price is for rough reference only; a detailed quote will be provided based on the specific details of each project.
What Size, And In What Finish?
Fibreglass, And What It Is Compared Against
FRP fibreglass — the material we build in
Layered glass-fibre in a mould over an internal steel frame, then multi-layer automotive paint with hand-painted detail and a UV clear coat. It is the only material here that reproduces an exact colour, and above 1.5 m it typically costs 50–70% less than stainless steel for the same shape. Outdoor life is 15–20 years before the coat needs refreshing; a good workshop will warrant it for up to 30.
Stainless steel — for comparison only
Fabricated and welded from sheet and tube rather than moulded. It lasts 50+ years outdoors with no recoating, which is genuinely better than fibreglass, and it is competitive on smooth geometric forms. Where it loses is colour and likeness, and detailed stainless work runs 2.5–4 times the fibreglass price. We list it so you can see the trade-off; we do not fabricate it.
True bronze — for comparison only
Bronze is coloured with a chemical patina rather than paint, so it cannot reproduce a specific coat or shirt colour. We still cast it for memorial work; it is listed here so you can see why it is the wrong tool for a cartoon sculpture.
Cold-cast resin — for comparison only
Bronze powder in resin, hand-painted, indoor only, and it cannot be re-patinated. We list it so you can recognise it, not so you can buy it: our smallest pieces are 1.5 m.
What every quote states
The laminate and paint specification, the UV clear-coat type, the internal steel frame, structural calculations where the piece is over 2 m, door-to-door freight, who pays import duty, who handles rigging and installation, and the warranty period. If a quote omits any of these, ask.
Life-Size Commissions
Life-Size Sculpture FAQ
How large can you build?
Our largest pieces to date are well over 4 m. Above about 2.5 m every piece gets an engineered internal steel frame, and we will want to talk about the base and the access route before quoting.
Can you install it on site?
Yes. Large pieces are delivered in sections and assembled on site. We can arrange installation directly or supply a fixing and plinth specification for your own contractor.
Do you need a structural survey?
For public or commercial sites we normally ask for the ground conditions and the intended base. For a private garden, a photograph of the location and the surface is usually enough to quote.
How much does a life-size piece cost?
Fibreglass at 1.8–2.5 m generally falls between $3,800 and $15,000, and anything above 3 m runs $8,000–$35,000. The internal frame is 10–20% of that and it scales with the height, not the design.
Which finish suits a large outdoor piece?
Gloss-painted fibreglass, sealed under a UV clear coat. On a large piece the clear coat matters more than on a small one, because it is what lets the colour be brought back rather than repainted.
Do you offer smaller indoor keepsakes?
No. We build at scale only — our smallest pieces are 1.5 m. Cold-cast resin appears on our materials page for comparison only, so you can see why a painted resin piece is not right for a large outdoor installation.
What should a quote include?
The laminate and paint specification, the UV clear-coat type, the internal steel frame, structural calculations where the piece is over 2 m, door-to-door freight, who pays import duty, who handles rigging and installation, and the warranty period. If any of these is missing, ask — they are where a low quote hides its cost.