Hi!

[Ian]

Hello, sculptors! I'm a 22 year old musician - classical pianist and composer, living in San Francisco. I want to sculpt, particularly in stone - limestone or marble - or bronze, etc. Figurative sculpture is my main interest at this point. But I don't know where to begin. :o Any recommendations as to books to start out with, possible places to study sculpture, etc. would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Arrow]

Watch out with those pianist fingers. Stone carving can be painful. I started with blocks of plaster and soapstone. But I recommend you work with water or oil clay first, before you invest in stone tools.

[FireBeach]

Clay or alabaster would be where I start. Clay can easily be cast into bronze as well. Just out of curiosity what made you want to start sculpting? As for books I would recommend “Hands in Clay” by Charlotte F. Speight and john Toki. This is a great book that shows you how to hand build, throw pots, cast with molds as well as a brief history of clay. For figure reference “Anatomy for the Artist” by Sarah Simblet.

[bluedogshuz]

Hi Back!
Sculpture is a wise choice! Music takes form in sculpture!!! I recommend a plaster/ vermiculite or perlite mix. Pour it into a box. Get some files knives, sandpaper whatever and carve!!! It is the most primitive and in my humble opinion the most disciplined way to learn sculpture. By starting on a block you will learn how reduction can actually build a form. An odd thing I must admit but it is sort of "less making more". Once you master carving then your mind is free but disciplined to understand form and space. Thats my nickel, now go for it and welcome!!

[GaryR52]

Another tip for casting plaster blocks for carving: spray the inside of the box with Krylon clear acrylic and let it dry first. That way, you won't waste time and effort peeling cardboard off your block quite so much.

Gary

[JamesDFarrow]

I built myself a "mold box" out of wood and Jorgensen handscrew clamps.

Well not really built it. The clamps just hold the 4 pieces of wood together.
You have to put plastercene or something similar along all the inside joints (cracks) where the 4 pieces of wood meet so the liquid won't run out but that's the only part of the assembly that takes any effort.

BTW, anyone know where I can get the really large Jorgensen clamps on-line?

I have the ones that have a 10" opening but am looking for the ones that have a 14" or 16" opening. Lots of places on-line have the 10" ones but not having any luck finding the larger ones.

James :)