Alabaster Carving

Alabaster, 4.5 x 3.5 x 2 inches

Research:

Reflection:

Three of the most significant things I learned during this project were the importance of using the right tools, how to successfully carve with subtraction, and planning. I found that picking the right tools to work with when carving stone was especially important, because the “grit” of a rasp varied from tool to tool, and would affect the efficiency of the subtraction and the smoothness of the applied area. By using the right tools, I learned how to slowly subtract from the original form of the rock, until I got to the desired shape. It also helped me to subtract in smaller and smaller portions as I continued to refine the shape, going from sawing off large chunks, to smaller chunks, and then only to sanding with the rasps. Throughout my work on this piece, I had to keep redrawing my plan onto the stone, and adjusting for how it was going. I found it very important to keep my original sketch near me when carving, so that I wouldn’t stray too far from my original plan (although I strayed pretty far in the end). 

I like my carving a lot, even though it’s not what I originally intended it to be. I think the biggest thing that tripped me up while carving was having uneven drawings on each side, which resulted in a more asymmetrical shape and proportions that made my original concept for the form much harder to execute. If I did this again, I would make sure to keep everything even on the sides that were supposed to be symmetrical, maybe with a ruler or string while sketching on the stone. 

Compared to the memento project, I think these projects have some similarities, and the soap carving definitely taught me a little about carving other materials like stone. Both projects relied on subtractive carving, but the soap was a much easier material to carve. The experience with the soap carving allowed me to know how to start with the alabaster, as I started the subtractive carving on the soap by cutting off big corners and areas I didn’t need, and then did the same for the alabaster. I enjoyed the soap carving a little more than the stone carving because I found the softer material more enjoyable to work with, and felt that with the stone carving, it was harder to see my progress as I carved, which gave me less confidence in the piece I was creating. 

One thing that Anne Alexander did that helped me during this process was helping me pick out the right tools. She helped me pick out a very rounded rasp, which was almost circular, which helped me greatly in the refining stage of my sculpture, after I finished most of the sawing. It specifically helped me get into and sand down the smaller corners and curves before I made them sharper.