Introduction | Books | Magazines | Professional Resources | Related Articles | Sample Business Plans | Start-up Issues
Sculpture is any three-dimensional form created as an artistic expression. Sculpture is primarily concerned with space: occupying it, relating to it, and influencing the perception of it.
The term also refers to the artistic discipline, act or art of making sculpture: changing one or more of the physical or contextual attributes of an object, such as its mass, colour, texture, context, location, form, scale, implication, association, temperature or smell. Much contemporary sculpture transmits expression through arrangement and juxtaposition or by the simple designation of an object or even an act as sculpture.
The artist who sculpts is called a sculptor. A sculpted object or material has been worked to resemble sculpture either by human hands or by nature. A figure or person can be described as sculpturesque if it shares qualities with classical figurative sculpture or statue.
Traditional materials for sculpting are stone, marble, limestone, Portland Stone, granite, porphyry, basalt, sandstone, soapstone, pipestone, alabaster, jade, clay, porcelain, terracotta, plaster, papier-máchß, metal, bronze, iron, copper, gold, wood, and living plants.
Contemporary materials
In his late writings, Joan Miró even proposed that some day sculptures might be
made of gases.
Other materials used in modern and contemporary sculpture include the environment, polymers, other synthetic materials, textiles, metal, aluminum, mercury, glass, sand, water, ice, snow, terra cotta, balloons, liquid crystals, frozen blood, dead animals, found objects, and sound.
Perhaps the least elitist of these media is sand, as it is used by young and old to create sand castles.
Forms
Some of the forms sculpted are:
- Relief: sculpture still attached to a background, standing out from that ground in "High Relief" or "Low Relief" (bas relief)
- Sculpture "in the round": designed by the sculptor to be viewed from any angle
- Free-standing
- Mobile (for example, Calder's Stabiles)
- Statue
- Bust
- Site-Specific
- Equestrian
- Jewelry
Nudity
A Nude or 'unadorned' figure was in Greek classical sculpture a reference to the
status or role of the depicted person, deity or other being. Athletes, priestesses
and gods could be identified by their adornment or lack of it.
The Renaissance preoccupation with Greek classical imagery, such as the 4th century B.C. Doryphoros of Polykleitos, led to nude figurative statues being seen as the 'perfect form' of representation for the human body. Subsequently, nudity in sculpture and painting has represented a form of ideal, be it innocence, openness or purity. Nude sculptures are still common. As in painting, they are often made as exercises in efforts to understand the anatomical structure of the human body and develop skills that will provide a foundation for making clothed figurative work.
Nude statues are widely acceptable by most societies, largely due to the length of tradition that supports this form. Occasionally, the nude form draws objections, often by fundamentalist moral or religious groups who do not understand the context of what they are objecting to. Classic examples of this are the removal of penises from the Vatican collection of Greek sculpture and the addition of a fig leaf to a plaster cast of Michaelangelo's sculpture of David for Queen Victoria's visit to the British Museum.
Business
Sculpture as a business is classified as an industry based on its purpose. It can be
in the manufacturing industry as a sculpture product (NAICS Code
327420) if what is produced is a new product
to be sold. It can be in the arts industry if the sculpture is considered
to be a work of art (NAICS Code 711510),
rather than a product.
There are a variety of ways people make money from sculpting. Some sell their product locally, at trade shows or via the internet. Others sell original patterns or kits they have designed themselves. And, still others teach sculpting. The best way to learn more about the viabiiity of any of these business models is to participate in Professional Resources, subscribe to magazines that are related to your interests, and read books that give more in-depth information about the business.
Introduction | Books | Magazines | Professional Resources | Related Articles | Sample Business Plans | Start-up Issues
Barron's Sculpture in Stone
A general overview of sculpture and a practical guide to working in stone.
The Basic Guide to Pricing Your Craftwork
Basic formulas for pricing craftwork, retail or wholesale.
The Basic Guide to Selling Arts & Crafts
Step-by-step help on over 150 topics for marketing your home made crafts.
The Basic Guide to Selling Crafts on the Internet
Unravels the mysteries of selling crafts online with clear, step-by-step advice.
Business and Legal Forms for Crafts
A complete set of business and legal forms designed to meet the active craftperson's every need.
Crafting as a Business
How to develop a thriving retail business.
Crafting for Dollars
Covers every aspect of starting and managing your own craft-based business.
Crafts and Crafts Shows
Good business practice in dealing with customers, pricing, and presentation in the show booth.
The Crafts Business Answer Book & Resource Guide
Answers to questions about starting, marketing, and managing a homebased business
efficiently, legally, and profitably.
Direct Metal Sculpture
Over 475 illustrations offer ideas, inspiration, techniques, and finished examples of art.
Direct Wood Sculpture: Technique, Innovation, Creativity
The appreciation of wood as medium for sculpture and a practical look of technique.
Encyclopedia of Sculpture Techniques
Numerous photos showcase sculptors at work and famed sculptures, plus diagrams of tools. Recipes -
including one for mixing aggregates - and facts about setting, hardening, and curing times.
Figure Sculpture in Wax and Plaster
Step-by-step guide to materials and tools, modeling in wax and plaster, hollow wax
modeling, plaster molds, and much more.
From Clay to Bronze: A Studio Guide to Figurative Sculpture
The creation of a large, realistic bronze figure, from initial studies through the complex
processes of enlarging, modeling, molding, casting, and finishing.
Handmade for Profit
Hundreds of secrets to success in selling arts & crafts.
Make It Profitable!
The best ideas and information from 80 professionals in various fields of the craft industry.
Making Ceramic Sculpture: Techniques, Projects, Inspirations
Basic ceramic techniques with seven projects for human and animal figures that can be
used as practice. There is also an extensive gallery section of contemporary ceramic
sculpture by other artists, including some in outdoor settings.
Modeling in Wax for Jewelry and Sculpture
All the instructional details are included for every phase of wax casting and mold-making.
Modern Sculpture: A Concise History
The development of modern sculpture from Rodin to the present day.
Paper Sculpture: A Step-By-Step Guide
The curling, scoring and folding techniques used to create a wide variety of provocative
paper sculptures.
Publish Your Patterns
How to write, print, and market your designs.
A Sculptor's Guide to Tools and Materials
Addresses all aspects of the use and function of sculpting tools and materials used
in traditional sculpture.
Sculpture, Principles and Practice
Covers forms of sculpture, how to construct an armature, build a model stand, carving, and much more.
Sculpture Since 1945
In over 130 beautiful illustrations, Causey examines innovative and avant-garde works
in relation to contemporary events, festivals, commissions, the marketplace, and the
changing functions of museums. He also explores the use of everyday objects and the
importance of sculptural context, discussing figurative and non-figurative works,
Anti-form, Minimalism, experimental form, Earth art, landscape sculpture, installation,
and performance art.
Your Crafts Business: A Legal Guide
Explains legal principles that protect a crafts business and help it grow. It also
provides practical advice on how to deal with day-to-day problems -- such as dealing
with delinquent payments. The book provides over a dozen tear-out contracts and other
legal forms, plus step-by-step instructions to fill them out.
Introduction | Books | Magazines | Professional Resources | Related Articles | Sample Business Plans | Start-up Issues
American Artist
Widely read and respected resource featuring paintings, drawings and sculptures
of artists in a variety of mediums. A source of inspiration to begining and seasoned artists.
American Craft
Celebrates contemporary craft, focusing on achievements in the craft media.
Ceramics Art and Perception
Substantial articles and regular features on a broad range of ceramics related subjects
with excellent color photographs throughout. Each issue includes articles from around
the world on historical and contemporary topics, functional and sculptural work,
Ceramics Monthly
Articles, information and resources for and about ceramics and pottery.
Ceramics Technical
A bi-annual magazine devoted to research in the field of ceramics that is of interest
to ceramic artists, studio potters and all interested in the furtherance of skills
and the understanding of materials and processes in ceramic art.
Clay Times
Designed to inform ceramic enthusiasts at all levels of the latest developments
in the clay world, while providing useful infornation and techniques.
Fired Arts and Crafts
The ceramist's reference guide during the creating process. Includes projects with
materials lists and directions, color photographs of finished items, detailed patterns,
and drawings when necessary.
Metal Finishing
Strives to keep readers informed on the practical and technical aspects of finishing
metal and plastic products, including waste treatment and pollution control.
Metalsmith
Documents & analyzes jewlery & metal working, with an emphasis on contemporary ideas,
critical issues & relevant historical work.
Modern Casting
Published for producers of metal castings. Covers all technical management, marketing
and operating aspects of foundry production. Special emphasis on latest technologies.
Ornament
International publication devoted personal adornment, covering ancient, ethic &
contemporary jewelry, beads & historic and artist-made clothing.
Popular Ceramics
Contains how-to articles, with instructions for ceramic projects. Includes ceramic
information, some historical.
Pottery Making Illustrated
A how-to-magazine for potters - professional or amateur, student or instructor. Each issue
contains practical information presented in a well-illustrated format for the beginner to
the intermediate potter.
Sculpture
Covers news and issues related to contemporary sculpture.
