So, here is how I
begin. I am mostly an additive sculptor, using clay I can add clay where I want
it and move it around. If I make a mistake, I just add or delete clay as
needed. Stone sculpting is subtractive, I can only delete the stone, so if make
a mistake, well, that’s how abstract art came about.
I always start with a drawing then I make a clay maquette
piece, most of the time it is the same size as the final stone. It makes it
easier to transfer measurements, from the clay to the stone, but I have used a
smaller maquette on larger stone pieces.
Once I get the stone,
chances are I have to revise the clay to fit the actual size and usable part of
the stone. You can see in the photos from my last post that the stone came with some
challenges, but all is good.
The photo on the left shows my first steps with the stone. I draw
on the stone with a blue crayon, the profile of the piece from one side. Then I
use my crosscut saw, (alabaster is a soft stone that can even be carved with a
knife), to cut kerfs in the stone stopping at the profile line. This allows me
to quickly get rid of a lot of stone without a lot of effort.
I then pick up my pointed chisel and knock off the kerfs.
Within a few hours, I have taken the stone down to a profile that is easier to
work with. Next step I use my calipers and dividers and transfer measurements and
drawing from the clay to the stone. On this piece, once I have the drawing on
the stone, I start with the forward thrusting leg and again with the pointed
chisel start to carve away the stone.
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