A 3D-printed bas-relief falcon for the artist Jean-Pierre Craninx

At O&D 3D Printing, we regularly support companies in their technical and industrial projects. But every now and then, a project reminds us just how much 3D printing can also be used to serve artistic creation. This is the case with our collaboration with the artist Jean-Pierre Craninx , who contacted us for a rather unique project: creating a bas-relief falcon , intended to be mounted on a base.

An artistic project, a technical approach

Bas-relief is a demanding exercise: unlike sculpture in the round, it has only a shallow depth to suggest volume, movement, and detail. Translating the elegance and power of a bird of prey like the falcon in this format therefore requires great precision, both in design and printing.

This is the challenge that Jean-Pierre Craninx proposed we take on with him, bringing our technical expertise to the service of his artistic approach.

A collaborative effort

We worked closely with Mr. Craninx to precisely define the project's requirements and achieve a result perfectly aligned with his artistic vision. Several exchanges were necessary to adjust the proportions, the depth of the relief, and the details of the plumage, until we obtained a 3D file faithful to the artist's intention. This phase of dialogue is essential for this type of project: it allows us to translate a creative idea, sometimes still in its initial stages, into a 3D-printable object that respects both the technical feasibility and the client's artistic requirements.

An imposing piece made in two parts

Given the size of the final artwork, the piece was divided into two 60 cm sections , printed separately and then assembled to form the complete falcon. This sectional approach is a solution we regularly use for large-format pieces: it allows us to maintain an excellent level of detail across the entire surface of the bas-relief, while respecting the constraints of our printing volumes.

The artist will handle the finishing touches in-house.

Once both parts were printed and delivered, Jean-Pierre Craninx personally handled the post-processing and coloring of the artwork in-house. This choice perfectly illustrates the nature of our collaboration: we provide the technical expertise in additive manufacturing, while the artist retains control over the final creative and pictorial dimension of his work, right down to the touch of color that brings it to life.

An exhibition on the French Riviera

The result of this collaboration was unveiled to the public at an exhibition in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat , on the French Riviera, on July 18, 2026. Seeing a piece come to life, from the digital file to the final exhibition in front of an audience, is always a particularly rewarding moment for our team.

Many thanks to Jean-Pierre Craninx for his trust and for allowing us to participate in this magnificent artistic project. This type of collaboration perfectly illustrates the versatility of 3D printing, capable of meeting both industrial needs and bespoke creative projects.