Methods

Maquette

A reduced-scale three-dimensional model made as a preparatory stage for a larger sculpture, monument, relief, or architectural project.

Marcottage

A French sculptural practice, associated especially with Rodin, in which previously created figures or fragments are reused, recombined, repeated, or altered to generate a new composition.

Quarry

The working from which natural stone is extracted—and, for the sculptor, the first workshop in the life of a stone sculpture, where geology, orientation, block size, soundness, provenance, procurement, and communication begin to determine the work.

Sgraffito

A decorative technique in which a surface layer is scratched or cut through to expose a contrasting layer beneath.

Direct Carving

A method of carving in which the sculptor develops the sculpture directly in the final block of stone or wood rather than reproducing a fully resolved model through pointing or another transfer system.

Armature

An internal supporting framework used to carry clay, wax, plaster, or other modeling materials while a sculpture is being developed.

Armature Coupling

A connection that joins sections of a sculptural armature so they can be assembled, adjusted, or removed.

Blow Penetration

Blow penetration describes how deeply the force of a controlled chisel strike travels into stone, affecting fracture, edge safety, and the carver’s ability to work close to delicate forms.

Bozzetti

The sculptor's small preliminary clay or wax model, used to resolve pose and composition before carving in marble.

Cartesian Grid

A coordinate system based on perpendicular axes used to locate points numerically in space.