Information on Stone Carving
People have been carving stones since ancient times. Although new technology has been introduced, some stone carvers prefer to use older methods, perhaps as a way of connecting with the past. Indeed, for many, that may be one of the greatest draws of stone carving in general--using an ancient method to create something new.
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History
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Early societies carved petroglyphs on rocks. As the Stone Carving Tutorial website says, people have been carving from stone ever since a human being realized she could hit a softer stone with a harder one to shape it.
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Uses
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Stone carving can be used for sculpture, for elements of architectural design such as columns, or for writing messages, such as the inscriptions on gravestones. Often it is used to create outdoor sculptures to decorate a yard or garden.
Tools
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A hammer and chisel traditionally serve as the basic tools for stone carving, and stone carvers often use calipers as well. The pneumatic hammer, fueled by large air compressors driven by steam, began to replace the traditional iron hammer and wooden mallet in the late 1800s.
Materials
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Stone carvers use many types of stone, such as granite, limestone, sandstone, marble, soapstone and alabaster. These range from very hard (granite) to very soft (alabaster).
The Process
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A stone carver should wear safety goggles and a dust mask, as well as ear plugs and antivibration gloves. Stone carvers often remove as much stone as possible with a pitching tool, and then they begin refining the shape with a point chisel.
Advantages
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Stone art lasts longer than many other types of art, which can give a stone carver the satisfaction of knowing his work will last. Stone carving can also be used to create beautiful outdoor artwork that will survive the elements for many years.
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References
- Photo Credit "The Face of Budda" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: seanmcgrath (Sean McGrath) under the Creative Commons Attribution license. "It was speculated that this petroglyph might have been added by early Spanish explorers. Pictographs on Painted Rock at the Carrizo Plain National Monument, on BLM property near Soda Lake." is Copyrighted by Flickr user: mikebaird (Mike Baird) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
