How to Carve Stone

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Stone carving is a way of sculpting.Stone is different from other materials as it is difficult to shape perfectly, given its density and unpredictability.Carving stone requires patience and planning.Here are some guidelines to follow to understand the process.
Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Choose the Suitable Stone

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  1. Step 1 Scegli la steatite (roccia saponaria), se sei un principiante, e pochi strumenti per l'intaglio.
    The consistency of this material is similar to that of a stick of dry soap and is very malleable.It can be shaped without too much effort.
    • The soapstone is so soft that you can cut it with harder stones that you can find in your garden, even your nails are enough.It exists in many colors such as grey, green and black.Use soapstone if you want to create a small sculpture that won't be damaged as easily if you accidentally scratch or bump it.
    • You can find it at a marble worker, a quarry or a fine arts shop.
    • Alternatively, you can look for it from wholesalers specializing in building materials.However, in this case, the stones are intended for construction (for example for kitchen countertops) and are harder to work than those that are sold for artistic purposes.
    • Know that some soaps contain asbestos which causes lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis if inhaled.
  2. Step 2 Se desideri un buon compromesso fra resistenza e malleabilità, l'alabastro è la soluzione migliore.
    It is a stone that comes in many different colors and you can find it at many retailers.
    • This material is the most suitable if you want a resistant and colorful sculpture.You can buy white, grey, beige, yellow, red and transparent stones.
    • Although alabaster is harder than soapstone, it can be carved without too much effort.It is ideal for novice sculptors because it maintains the given shape without the need for specific tools and effort.
    • An alternative to alabaster is limestone;this is easy to work with but there are few colors available (usually just a few shades of grey).Furthermore, limestone becomes difficult to engrave if the piece chosen is not suitable.It is a harder material than alabaster and polishes less.
  3. Step 3 Evita le pietre molto dure come il granito e il marmo.
    To carve these materials you need special tools such as the electric router and the pneumatic hammer.
    • Granite and marble are carved in large quantities because they are the best materials for statues and other large objects that must also be durable.
    • Working on large hard stone boulders requires considerable effort.Even the most experienced carvers spend up to 80 hours on a relatively simple piece.
  4. Step 4 Scegli un masso che sia molto più grande della scultura che vuoi realizzare.
    Carving is a subtractive process.Unlike painting (where color is added to give shape to the image), sculpture removes material to bring out the work of art.
    • Stick to one project that you can finish relatively quickly.This tip is especially important if you work by hand, sculpt for the first time and are not sure if you will enjoy this hobby.
    • We recommend a 7.5-12.5 kg block to start with.Pieces smaller than 7.5 kg break when carved with a chisel and hammer.The larger ones take a long time to work into the shape you want.
    • If you have decided to work with soapstone to create a heart-shaped pendant, then you need to take a much smaller piece than the 7.5 kg one.Just remember that you will most likely have to use less precise tools, such as harder stones or files to shape it.You also won't have as many chances to fix accidental errors.
  5. Step 5 Ispeziona il blocco per cercare la presenza di crepe e fessurazioni.
    Since you work with natural materials, it is not uncommon to find structural defects.Get a block with few imperfections to reduce the risk of breakage during carving.
    • Cracks and cracks are easy to identify when the stone is wet.Spray it with water using a spray bottle.If you find imperfections, follow their path to understand where they end up.If it is a crack that runs through the entire piece, then the risk of breakage is very high.
    • Tap larger rocks with a hammer or chisel handle.If the stone makes a "ringing" sound, chances are the material is solid where you hit it;if instead you hear a "dull" noise, then there could be a fracture that absorbs the energy of the blow inflicted.
    • Ask an experienced sculptor or salesman to help you find a good stone to work with.If you are a beginner and are unable to evaluate its integrity, go to an art supply store and not a building materials store.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 4:

Obtain the Necessary Tools

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  1. Step 1 Quando intagli, proteggiti sempre la bocca con una mascherina.
    Even if you work with small stones, remember that they may contain asbestos and silica, both dangerous materials if they are inhaled.
    • To limit the amount of dust produced, wet the rock before carving.Also try to work outdoors (in the garden or under a porch).If you need to carve large blocks (for example 25-30 lbs), place a fan to blow the dust away from you.
    • Some professional carvers suggest wearing a respirator when the workpiece is very large.However, this safety measure is especially taken when using electrical tools.
    • You can find dust masks in hardware and DIY stores.Make sure it has two elastic bands and a bendable metal bar to ensure maximum adherence at nose level.The cheap masks that are sold in the supermarket are not sufficient for carving work on large rocks.
    • You can also buy respirators at DIY stores.They are a decidedly safer alternative solution and their cost is around €50.
  2. Step 2 Indossa degli occhiali di protezione.
    If you wear glasses, wear a safety mask over them.
    • When you use a hammer and chisel there is a high possibility that small stone fragments will splash directly into your eyes.Although it is not as potentially lethal as inhaling dust, it is still a very painful accident.It may also interfere with your vision making your carving work less accurate.
    • If you are carving a small stone, you can stick to safety glasses instead of using a mask.They won't be very easy to fit over your prescription glasses, but they won't fog up as much as the mask.
    • Over time, eye protectors become scratched and can blur vision.Always keep a spare pair to replace when scratches are quite limiting.You can purchase these glasses at hardware stores.
  3. Step 3 Valuta l'ipotesi di indossare dei guanti quando intagli pietre di grosse dimensioni.
    The stone is abrasive and blisters, cuts or scrapes on the skin are not uncommon.
    • As you gain experience, you will have more calluses on your hands and gloves will be less essential.However, it is always better to be safe than sorry.A good pair of work gloves protects you from accidental cuts caused by work tools.
    • You don't need to get special gloves if you plan to carve small to medium-sized stones.As long as you're not using power tools for long periods, a good pair of gardening gloves is all you need.
  4. Step 4 Acquista un martello, degli scalpelli e delle lime.
    Online retailers, such as Amazon, offer kits for beginner sculptors starting from €30.Alternatively, go to a fine art supply store or a craft shop where you can find many different tools.
    • If you work with soft stones such as soapstone, these tools are not necessary, however they guarantee faster and more precise work.
    • For novice sculptors, a soft hammer with a weight of 750 g or 1 kg is recommended.Check that it has two flat surfaces.Unlike those used for nails, sculptor's hammers have larger surfaces to be able to repeatedly hit the chisel more easily.If you are not very tall, use a lighter hammer so you can handle it better.If you are a tall person, you can use a heavier tool which will make the job quicker, as you will remove more stone with each stroke.
    • The fundamental tool is the chisel.The simplest ones are composed of a metal end with two surfaces.The notched one has several tips that make it resemble a small fork.The latter is optional, but proves to be very valuable in finishing work.
    • The final shape is obtained thanks to files.You can choose to buy several, but their size must be suitable for the sculpture you want to create.If you have decided to carve a large statue you need large files.In any case, buy a few small ones to define the details.
  5. Step 5 Se vuoi scolpire un masso grande, procurati dei sacchi di sabbia su cui appoggiarlo mentre lavori.
    • Fill the bag with cheap, coarse-grained sand, like the kind used for cat litter.The actual sand is too heavy and stabilizes too much to provide the necessary support for the stone.
    • Make sure it is fairly coarse bedding sand.The more expensive one has a tendency to clump together just like beach sand, while the cheaper one is lighter and supports the stone in many different positions.
    • Close the bags with string, remembering not to overfill them, this way the stone can crush them and rest comfortably.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 4:

Carving the Stone

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  1. Step 1 Fai uno schizzo della tua opera su un foglio di carta.
    It is always advisable to visualize the finished project before starting work, since sculpture requires the ability to evaluate space in an abstract way.Even though the drawing is a two-dimensional representation of your work, it will help you better visualize the three-dimensional sculpture.
    • Alternatively, you can "sketch" the statue with clay to create a model.This way you can add and remove clay until you get the shape you want.This process not only helps you develop your project, but prevents you from eliminating stone that would have been more appropriate to leave.
    • Beginner sculptors should start with abstract shapes and avoid highly detailed images, such as the human body.Learning how to use the tools while trying to make a precise, symmetrical figure is a somewhat frustrating and challenging process.
  2. Step 2 Controlla la pietra per valutare la direzione delle venature.
    Just like wood, stone also has grains that indicate the direction in which it developed.
    • The wet rock allows you to better visualize these lines which appear as distinctive colored patterns.Carving along these grains ensures the structural integrity of the project.
    • Make sure that the length of the sculpture develops according to the grain.Avoid breaking them in a perpendicular direction because this is a more difficult operation and leads to unpredictable results.
  3. Step 3 Con un pastello a cera traccia le linee di taglio direttamente sulla pietra.
    This is the pattern you need to follow to carve it.
    • You can also use a pencil or marker, but graphite tends to fade very quickly while ink could stain the stone indelibly.Wax crayons can be removed effortlessly when necessary, and they are available in many colors which help you to delimit certain areas of the sculpture as it takes shape.
    • Be sure to trace the lines of the sculpture on all sides of the stone.Respect the proportions in height and width, remember that this is a three-dimensional work of art that must be carved uniformly.
  4. Step 4 Afferra il martello con la mano dominante e con l'altra tieni lo scalpello.
    If you are right-handed, the hammer will go in your right hand.
    • Hold the chisel in its middle part, as if you were holding a microphone.Move your thumb to the side where your other 4 fingers are.This grip will feel unnatural at first but will protect your thumb from clumsy blows.
    • Hold the chisel firmly, never losing contact with the stone.If you bounce it or move it in your hand, the shots will be less precise and the stone will break randomly.
    • If you are carving along an edge, use a flat chisel instead of a serrated one.If you place just one of the chisel's teeth on the rock you can cause it to break, rendering the tool unusable, as well as generating a potential risk of injury.
    • Hold the chisel blade at a 45° angle or less.If you hit the stone head on you generate what is called a "stone bruise".Basically the stroke whitens the area which will reflect much more light and become an imperfection in your artwork.
  5. Step 5 Colpisci l'estremità dello scalpello con il martello.
    If you're at the right angle, slivers of rock will fall off.
    • If the blade fits into the stone without detaching any fragments, then the angle is excessive.Change position by reducing the angle of the blade on the surface and consider carving in a different direction.An excessive angle causes the "bruises" described above.
    • On the other hand, if the chisel forms a small angle, it will slide across the surface of the stone without removing any pieces of it.This is a very common occurrence when carving hard, smooth rocks.To prevent this from happening, increase the angle or use a serrated chisel.
  6. Step 6 Se la pietra è instabile, appoggiala sui sacchi di sabbia.
    When working with small stones, it is not easy to find a safe position and trying to hold it still with your hands exhausts you.
    • If the stone moves, even just a little, then you are wasting energy, because the force with which you hit is not entirely used to eliminate pieces of material but is dissipated with the movement of the boulder.Avoid this problem by using sandbags.
    • Carve in a standing position instead of sitting.So you can tilt the chisel downwards and maximize the effect of the hammer blow, as well as reduce the movement of the rock.It's not that uncommon to have to adjust the position of the boulder every few minutes.
    • If you notice the stone moving, lean heavily against it.Just make sure the direction of the chisel is away from your body.
    • If you're working on a folding table, place the sandbag and stone directly on top of its legs.These are the most robust areas of the support surface and the energy of the blows will all be transferred to the material instead of being absorbed by the elasticity of the table.
  7. Step 7 Cesella verso il centro del masso e non verso i bordi.
    In these places the material is thinner, with less support and can break uncontrollably.
    • If you carve towards the edges you may break off pieces of stone that should remain.Prevent this problem by directing the chisel toward the center of the boulder or following the length of the edge rather than working it perpendicularly.
    • If there is no way to avoid cutting the stone towards the edges, apply gentle, slow strokes.Although special glue is available for "repairs", they will still be visible when the work is completed.
  8. Step 8 Intaglia seguendo la direzione delle crepe e non perpendicolarmente a esse.
    Remember that even the best boulder may have micro-cracks on the surface.To minimize the amount of material lost, always work in the direction of the imperfections.
    • Place the chisel along the cracks and not perpendicular to them.Every crack, regardless of size, is a point of fragility of the material.Carving in these areas causes chipping on all sides which will then be difficult to file.When working with soft stone this is a significant problem.
    • To avoid chipping, use files when you are about to finish the sculpture.Chisel puts more stress on the material than files and makes cracks even more visible.Filing along the cracks helps smooth them out and mask them better.
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Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

Finish the Work

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  1. Step 1 Lima la pietra solo spingendo lo strumento lontano da te.
    The file is the ideal tool for the final details, for smoothing chisel marks and for finishing touches.
    • Most sculptor's files have a one-way serration, meaning they only cut along one direction.The correct way to use it is to push it away from the body instead of the classic "back and forth" movement.
    • Grinding the stone with a traditional motion may be effective, but you risk wearing out the file too quickly.Instead, return the tool to the starting position and push.This technique also provides the advantage of seeing how the surface changes with each stroke.
    • Files are generally made of steel, although professional files are often diamond or silicon carbide (these are much more expensive).For soft stones, steel ones are sufficient.
  2. Step 2 Incolla i pezzi di pietra che si sono staccati accidentalmente con la colla epossidica.
    It is a specific product, mostly two-component, which you must mix before use.
    • This procedure is used when working with large blocks of stone and when the lost material significantly compromises the final result (for example you lose a portion of the "arm" of the statue).
    • When carving small stones, you usually reconsider the sculpture by trying to reshape it without the missing piece.For example, if you were trying to carve a heart, you can turn it into an arrow.
  3. Step 3 Smeriglia il lavoro finito con carta vetrata a grana 220.
    Remove file scratches and chisel marks to give your sculpture a professional, polished look..
    • The "grit" number of sandpaper refers to the number of abrasive particles present per square centimeter.The higher this value, the smoother the frosted surface will be.To sand soft stones, avoid 80 grit or lower, otherwise you will damage your sculpture.
    • We recommend always wet sanding.Use a specific water-based paper instead of the traditional one, to prevent it from falling apart in contact with the liquid.
    • If you sand dry you can see the cracks and marks that need smoothing.However, you produce a lot of dust and the use of a respirator becomes essential.To avoid excessive costs and not produce dangerous dust, sand wet and wait for the sculpture to dry each time to evaluate the result.Remember where you noticed imperfections and continue sanding.This is a technique that requires patience but allows you to save money and stay safe.
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Advice

  • You need to use small mallets as chisels become smaller and more precise.
  • You can make your own sandbags by cutting up old jeans and sewing them together after filling them with sand.
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Warnings

  • Do not carve stone without wearing safety glasses, a dust mask, leather gloves and earplugs.
  • Pay attention to the grain of the rock.If you chisel against the grain, the stone will break randomly.
  • Do not try to lift heavy stones without the help of another person or special machinery.
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Things you will need

  • Stone
  • Sculpting kit (with mallets and chisels)
  • Sandbags
  • Pencil/Crayons
  • Circular saw
  • Abrasive paper of various grits
  • Goggles
  • Anti-dust mask
  • Leather gloves
  • Earplugs
  • Silicon carbide sandpaper
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