I was interested in sculpting from an early age, and started carving figurines from candles using basic tools, then shifted to wood before finding my preferred medium in soft stone sculpting, 25 years ago. Some people like to create something from scratch, like a drawing or painting, whereas the process of reduction, somehow resonates with me.
The process of reduction refers to starting with a solid piece and reducing this down to the desired result. In the case of soft stone sculpture, you have a short window of opportunity to complete the sculpture before it hardens and no more work can be done on it.
I always tell my students, your sculpture is inside the block, all you have to do is reveal it. Reduction art does require a slightly different approach because you have to think in 3D rather than 2D. This can be an issue with some people initially, but I have techniques to share, to achieve the desired result.
My workshops are a fun and rewarding experience and are absolutely suited to first time sculptors. This is not a medium many people have tried, so it’s rare that anyone can fall back on previous experiences. Be bold! Give it a go. You won’t be disappointed.
