Sculpting
by Gail Lang

Sculpting is one of the earliest known and practiced forms of artistic expression known to man and can be found in many forms, each having various advantages and disadvantages.

Some of my personal favorite sculptures are created from marble. This type of sculpture can be traced back well into history. It was an incredibly laborious process often taking more than a year (sometimes many years) to complete one piece. A clay figure would be modeled, then cast in plaster. This plaster cast would then be referred to as the original because of two reasons. First the original clay figure was usually destroyed in preparation of the cast, and second many replicas could be made from this cast. Once cast, this original plaster would be copied in marble by means of a pointing process. The pointing process is an ancient measuring technique that employs a sliding needle that measures the depth of the forms inside a stone. This process, while refined over the years, is still used in sculpture today.

Sculpting, whatever your medium, is a form of art that calls for a very patient and loving temperament. You cannot rush to completion, nor should you want to. Finishing should be as rewarding as beginning. Sculpture is a physical activity in which the pleasure should eventually deepen with time and experience. To create a true work of art you must commit your entire physical and spiritual self to it.

Types of Sculpture

• Clay
• Wood Carving
• Stone Carving
• Metal Work
• Bronze Casting
• Sand Casting