[Phil White]

Hi all,

The following images show the evolution of an architectural stone sculpture, from the design stage to the finished product. They are not intended to be used as a tutorial on stone carving, but rather to show the evolution of the creative process.

This carving is one of ten that I am working on. Each of the finished sculptures will be set into a stone wall at the termination of series of arches. They are designed in a style that is heavily inspired by English Gothic tradition. Foliage was a primary subject in Gothic sculpture, and it was quite common to see both human faces and leaves together, especially in the “greenman” carvings.

The first image shows an overall view of the design process, starting with a photo of the space, background research into the person, photographs, and a preliminary sketch.

Images 2 and 3 show the modelling stage in clay (this is actually another similar piece), then casting in plaster to produce a working maquette. At this stage, the maquette and/or mould could be produced in any material, wood, stone bronze, etc.

Images 4 and 5 show the stone blank, and a selection of carving tools that will be used. The stone that has been chosen is Tyndal limestone, from Manitoba. These are all steel hand tools, struck with a wooden or heavy plastic mallet. This is the method that I prefer to use. I will use a pneumatic chisel with a carbide tip to rough the piece out, but all of the finer carving is done by hand.

Image 6 shows the preliminary roughing out of the profile in the block of stone.

Images 7 and 8 are slightly further along, showing the transfer of points on the plaster maquette to the stone. This is a constant process, which involves using dividers as well as depth gauges and a square.

Image 9 illustrates the idea that all plans are subject to change. Part of the way along, I decided to make a design change to render the leaves in a more natural way. This photo shows a leaf and small sketch being used, just to organize my thoughts on how the leaves will look, next to a finished leaf.

Images 10 and 11 show a comparison of the maquette, and the photo, next to the sculpture, as a progress check. More work needs to be done to the eyes,

Images 12 and 13 show the finished sculpture, ready to be installed.

[tsterling]

Pretty cool watching it go from flat to full! Nice job. Thanks, Phil - I enjoyed it!

[Mark Strom]

Outstanding work and I love the mottled stone, adds a really nice aged look. I envy your ability to do portraits its takes a real ability to dis-associate (is that a word?)yourself from the subject. Thanks for the posting.

[Phil White]

Thanks!!

The mottled stone is really beautiful stuff, but it has the unfortunate tendancy to break up the lines, sort of like a camouflage pattern. The dark areas are slightly harded as well.

Phil

[magnus homestead]

Thank you Phil,
Very instructive to be able to see your steps - again, your work is outstanding.
Magnus

[Dick Bonham]

Phil,
Thank you for showing the creative process. It's amazing to see a piece carved in stone.
Thanks again,
Dick

[Janel]

Welcome once again to The Carving Path! Thank you for your well presented contribution!
Janel

[Phil White]

Thanks everyone,

Your comments are greatly appreciated!

For those who are interested (Ford) the tools are made by Auriou in France, and were purchased from a company in the UK called Avery, Knight & Bowlers.

If anyone is interested in getting into stone carving, I would be happy to pass on any advice. Stone is a wonderful material to work with (provided you have the right stone) and I would highly encourage anyone who is interested to give it a try.

Phil

[Jim Kelso]

Very nice sequence Phil. Thanks

[Phil White]

Thanks Jim!

Ford,

I'm a bit of a tool junkie too. I'm curious about the Auriou woodcarving tools. I have heard that they are very good, and always wanted to try them. How would they compare to the Pfiel, or "Swiss Made" tools for edge-holding ability?

Phil

[Janel]

Tool talk! Sounds like topic for the Tools & Technical area!

[sergio]

Hi all. I tried to carve stone: "lave de volvic", it's very hard, and i am filled with admiration for stone carvers. It's realy hard. Thanks for showing your beautiful work, Phil, and the differents stages. I knew the tools Auriou for wood but not for stone. For wood, Auriou are good tools, very pleased by french woodcarvers, someone prefer Auriou, others prefer "swiss made" (pfiel), but i think it's the same quality, perhaps a very little difference, the sharp. You must try it, and make your choice.

[Phil White]

Thanks Ford,

It was on Chris Pye's website that I first heard of Auriou wood carving tools. He highly recommends them, but without a North American supplier, at least that I am aware of, they are a bit expensive to bring in for a try.

His website is excellent, with many good tips and links, regardless of what your carving experience is.

Sergio,

You are in one of the best areas in the world for stone carving tools and materials. The limestones in France are among the best in the world for carving, and there is a lot of knowledge regarding tools and techniques, not to mention, an accumulation of a thousand years or two of sculptures and carvings on buildings. French Gothic sculpture in particular is incredibly beautiful.

I am envious.

Phil

[tsterling]

He (or she) who dies with the most tools, wins!

[boggiecarving]

Hello Phil,
I know this is an old thread but if you're still there did you sand the carved surfaces any? I've done a few marble carvings and of course sanding is a pain, even with diamond sandpaper. It looked like your carving was very smooth but not sanded.

[Phil White]

Sorry, I just noticed this question now. I've been really busy lately.

There was no sanding, the surface was finished with light passes with various chisels. I don't do any sanding, as it tends to take away from the appearance, at least in my view, of this type of material, and a chiseled finish is traditional for most architectural stone sculpture. The process for finishing marble, on the other hand, is a completely different.

Phil