Imagine, Design, Create
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Stone sculpture captures a moment in time; a seemingly eternal art form, lasting and powerful. Commissioning a sculpture therefore is an exciting and momentous experience for both client and crafts person. Every carving whether it is as small as the Venus of Willendorf or as large as Michelangelo’s David can be monumental, leaving a mark forever.
It maybe a sketch on a napkin, an idea in you mind or a dream you have honed over a lifetime. Every commission starts here.
The design development of a sculpture begins with initial sketches or a sketch model. This is where we bring your ideas to life on paper or clay exploring different poses, expressions, and compositions.
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The Idea
The Scale Model
When we have a clear idea of what you want to create, we go on to making a scale model of the sculpture. This model can be made of various materials such as clay, wax, or foam, and is used to evaluate the proportions, form, and overall appearance of the sculpture. This gives us the opportunity to refine the design and make any final revisions before setting in stone.
Once you are happy with the design, we start working on the final piece. This can involve casting the sculpture from clay to a different medium like plaster or bronze or carving it from stone.
The end result, is a work of art that will stand the test of time and evoke emotion for generations to come.
The Final Sculpture
Stone Selection
Every stone holds a unique character and quality, much like every tree has a different grain and knot formation. The selection of the stone, therefore, is a critical part of the creation process and one that demands utmost care and attention.
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For a sculptor, the stone represents a blank canvas, waiting to be transformed into a work of beauty and elegance. The artist must consider its density, texture, colour, and the way it responds to the chisel. The stone must have the potential to take the form and retain details in order to express the essence of the sculptor's vision.
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Marble, for instance, is a stone that has been prized for its elegance and translucency for centuries. Its fine grain and smooth surface make it ideal for creating detailed and intricate sculptures.
Granite, on the other hand, is a much harder stone that requires greater patience to work with. Its rough surface and deep veins give it a bold, rugged appearance, making it a great choice for creating abstract and modern sculptures. Its strength and durability mean that it is perfect for large-scale installations, able to withstand the elements and the test of time.
Each type of stone holds its own unique characteristics, we guide you through the selection process providing samples if necessary to determine which one best suits your vision.
Installation
Making a large stone object appear as though it has always been there can seem like a daunting prospect. For us, moving heavy fragile object's it's a daily occurrence. During production we often have to turn large pieces over and protect them from damage. When installing a sculpture we take the knowledge and skills from our workshop practice and transfer them into the domestic setting protecting anything necessary and carefully negotiating any difficulties that arise, taking all the time that is needed.
We take into hand the safety of everybody involved throughout the process, ensuring any relevant health and safety guidelines are followed and make sure that all structural assurances are in place before commencing.
