Carl Hose has been writing since high school. His work appears in the zombie anthology "Cold Storage," which he co-edited. His work also appears in "Champagne Shivers," "DeathGrip: It Came from the Cinema," "DeathGrip: Exit Laughing," the horror anthology "Loving the Undead," the erotic ghost anthology "Beyond Desire" and issues of "Lighthouse Digest." Hose's nonfiction appears in "Blue Review" and "Writer's Journal."
SUPPLIES
- Stone
- Pneumatic Carving Tool
- Mallet
- Goggles
- Gloves
- Chisels (pointed, flat, and tooth)
Overview
Stone carvings are beautiful works of art that take time and patience to create with results that will last a lifetime. Stone sculptures and statues have been around for centuries, and while early artists had to do all the work by hand, sculptors today have the unique ability to combine the old way of doing things with technology that makes it quicker. Find out how you can carve a stone to create your own lifelong masterpiece.
Step 1
Decide on the type of stone you want to work with. There are many types suitable for carving and sculpting. Stone can be soft, like marble, or hard like granite. The type of stone you work with will dictate your cutting tools and even the way you sculpt.
Step 2
Rough out the shape of your sculpture. If you're working with granite, consider using a pneumatic carving tool. This will give you the power to chisel out large portions of the stone right away. Use a "D" type pneumatic carver with a flat chisel for this step. The "D" type pneumatic carver has more force then a "B" type. A carbide chisel for greater longevity when cutting hard stone. If you're working with marble or a similar softer stone, you want to use a "B" type pneumatic cutter to achieve the rough shape, which not only lessens the force applied to the stone, but will let you get closer to your final dimensions.
Step 3
Detail your sculpture using a variety of hand chisels and a mallet. Use a pointed steel chisel to enhance the roughing out of your sculpture, gradually defining shapes and removing extra portions of stone. Use a tooth chisel to refine the rough shape and flat chisels to work on the finish. The process is slow and strenuous, but the results can be stunning.
Step 4
Finish the stone with carbide-coated sandpaper. Apply plenty of water to the stone as you sand it to avoid scratching. Do not use a power sander. This could result in damage your sculpture. Apply a slow sand finish to your carved stone and you're sculpture is ready for display.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- WARNING : Wear protective gear when cutting stone.
Resources
