Direct Stone Sculpture

The ancient and wonderful art of direct stone sculpture is brought to life in this comprehensive new book by the noted sculptor, Milt Liebson. After a brief, informative historical overview of stone sculpture, he leads the reader through the hands-on experience of sculpting in stone. This is the book that artists, and would-be artists in stone have been seeking for many years.The types of stone used in sculpture are covered, as well as the basic tools for hand sculpting and the techniques for their use. For the advanced sculptor there is detailed information on power tools and their use, the methods of lamination and repair, the business side of stone sculpture, and other helpful information gleaned from years of experience.Detailed photographs take the readers from the rough stone to the polished and mounted piece.Direct Stone Sculpture promises to be the standard reference work in the field for years to come.

Delve into two worlds: the appreciation of wood as medium for sculpture and the practical ins-and-outs of sculptural technique. An illustrated history of direct wood sculpture is explored, along with a vital resource for those seeking to create sculpture in wood. A complete description of the qualities and types of wood, tools (both hand and power), techniques, and finishing, complements discussions of the art form and philosophy.

Explore and create modern stone sculpture, with 357 photos of examples by today's top sculptors and step-by-step instructions for creating your own. Descriptions of stone types, how to select and transport it, how to carve with hand tools and electric or pneumatic power tools, and the methods of finishing the work.

Art teachers, students, and ambitious amateurs all will value this copiously illustrated volume. It presents both a general overview of sculpture and a practical guide to working in stone. All important stone-working equipment and tools are shown, from compass and calipers to chisels, mallets, saws, sanders, and drills. Examples of finished pieces are shown from all over the world, and cover many historical eras, including statues and relief carvings from ancient Egypt and the Orient, marble masterpieces from the Italian Renaissance, and abstract figures from the modern era. Different types of stone are shown and described, including alabaster, most often used in small-scale pieces, as well as sandstone, granite, and marble. Practical instruction includes methods of measuring and copying in stone from a clay model. Step-by-step photo essays show several different contemporary works in progress, starting with a rough stone slab and progressing to completion and installation of a finished sculpture. Examples range in scale from small figurines to public monuments. Hundreds of full-color photos show the artist's studio, the processes of stone working, and magnificent examples of world famous artworks in stone. Other informative features include a six-page glossary of stone-working terms and a brief bibliography. Here is a fine reference volume for artists and craftsmen--but also a book for the personal library of every general reader who has an interest in sculpture and the fine arts.

"Promises to become a standard reference book." — The Art Digest. Exhaustive, profusely illustrated guide to all of the technical aspects of sculpting in stone, metal, wood, and other materials. The author expertly covers casting, surface treatment, exotic materials such as amber, coal, and even butter! Much more. 281 illustrations.

Offers advice on using tools and constructing armatures as well as shaping human figures, portrait heads, and bas reliefs from clay, plaster, wood, stone, and metal