Sculpting is one of the oldest forms of art in the market. It is a branch of visual arts that deal with three dimensions. It involves the removal of materials from a larger piece or the addition of materials to form a larger piece like in the case of clay. Some of the oldest pieces of sculptures are still in existence in museums across the globe. Different materials are used in the creation of sculptures. Choosing from these materials can be tasking. In this post, we discuss choosing the best sculpting materials.
Factors to consider when selecting the best sculpting material
- Location of the sculpture
The location where the sculpture will be situated is a major factor to consider. For instance, if you plan on having the sculpture outdoor, wood may not be a good option. Wood tends to decay when it exposed to some aspects of the weather like rain. On the other hand, materials like stainless steel and marble are perfect for the outdoors because they are resistant to water and corrosion hence more durable. For an indoor sculpture, clay or wood is the best option because it is easy to move around and thrives indoors.
- Durability
Different types of materials have varying levels of durability. The level of durability of the materials is significantly affected by issues like rust and corrosion resistance and resistance to elements of the weather and climate. For instance, wood is less durable because it decays when exposed to water and sand.
On the other hand, marble, stainless steel, bronze, and stone are some of the most durable materials in the market. Sculpting is very challenging, time-consuming, and costly. Therefore, you do not want to spend all the resources mentioned above just to have it last for a year or two. Well-made sculptures made from quality materials last for a lifetime and are some of the costliest in the market.
- Cost
The cost of the materials is also a major factor to consider. The cost factor is influenced by the material as well as items used in the sculpting process. For instance, the stone is one of the costliest sculpting materials. It is also costly because it requires costly tools that take a lot of time and a lot of precision. Stone sculpting is also very challenging because a single mistake might cost you an entire art piece.
- Experience
For an experienced sculpture, any kind of material can work as a canvas. However, for a newbie or a not so experienced artist, materials like stone may not be the right kind. The reason is that with stone, a single wrong movement of the hammer on the chisel could lead to imperfections that cannot be changed. The same can be said about other materials, but with stone, it is more challenging.
Conclusion
Some of the most commonly used types of sculpting materials include stone, marble, stainless steel, bronze, marble, and clay. Wood is also common but not as preferred because it is not as durable as the latter.
