I began my
sculpting career as a woodcarver, carving wood exclusively for ten years. Then I went to
Vermont and attended a marble carving class. It was a revelation. I was fascinated by the
variety of texture possibilities - the rough broken surface, the unique marks produced by
the different tools, the polished surface which brought out the stone's color. It was
exciting to watch the way the stone broke, always just a little out of your control, when
drilled for the feathers (slips) and wedges or when struck with the hammer and
pitching tool. Stone opened up a whole range of new sculptural possibilities for me.
People look at stone and wonder, How can anyone possibly carve
that? With some experience and the proper tools, I find that I can now work the
softer stones as easily as wood. Granite is another matter, but with diamond saws and
carbide tipped pneumatic tools, that too can be shaped into beautiful forms.
This brief online tutorial will give you an overview of the most
popular stones for carving, the tools used, and the carving process. With a little
knowledge and the proper tools, carving stone can be fun. Pick up a hammer and point
chisel, find a stone - and start carving. |
