Size

A masterpiece develops step by step in the studio.

Once you have reduced your block in size, the general form of your sculpture can begin to take shape.

The real creation work can begin, from the biggest block to something more precise 

For medium sized stones, ie between 5 and 10kg, the piece is normally started with rasps, which quickly bring out the lines of what will be the finished piece. The combination of surfaces on the rasp from rounded edges to flat faces allows many possible results from one tool. Let the tool do the work, working over the surface of the piece, remember this is a tool for removing larger areas, smaller areas are best removed with a riffler. To remove slices or to leave flat surfaces, small saws can also be used.

Miniatures

To make smaller objects such as jewellery, it's necessary to use smaller more precise tools right from the start. The needle riffler is perfect for this job. If you make bowls or cups a round riffler will be very useful, this tool allows you dig out the stone in a very regular fashion and leaves a uniform cut.

Megaliths and masterpieces

To create larger and more complex structures with cavities, holes, tunnels and so on the pointed riffler or big puk saw are your tools of choice. Soapstone allows you to create sculptures up to 2m tall!

Create textures.

Coarse, smooth, rugged, criss-cross, pointed - all surfaces are possible in soapstone. A mixture of surfaces enriches the visual impact of the piece, by breaking up the light and casting shadows as it hits the surface, whilst also creating different textures to touch. At this stage colours of the end result can be hard to judge due to the dust and fact that the piece is as yet unpolished, but to get a rough idea it can sprayed with water, bear in mind that colours will be further brought out by the final polish or varnish.