There is subtraction (removing or engraving materials) or addition (adding materials) in the production process of sculptures. Generally, there are four types of sculpture when classifying them by making techniques, namely modeling, casting, carving, and assembly.
Moreover, Sculptures can be classified in many different ways. Besides production techniques, they are also commonly categorized by material and artistic form. Different materials, such as bronze, marble, and stainless steel, each have unique characteristics and applications. If you want to learn more about sculpture materials, you can also read our guide “What Materials Are Used to Make Sculptures? A Complete Guide to Sculpture Materials“.
In terms of artistic form, freestanding sculpture and relief sculpture are two of the most common categories. Freestanding sculptures can be appreciated from all angles, while relief sculptures are attached to a flat surface and are often used in architecture and memorial art. Explore our detailed articles on ” What is freestanding sculpture “and ” What is relief sculpture” to better understand their differences.
In this article, however, we will focus on the 4 main types of sculpture based on production techniques. The artistic effects of sculptures produced using these four different techniques vary significantly. Understanding the different techniques of sculpture can be helpful whether you want to gain a deeper understanding of various sculptures, choose a suitable sculpture for your space, or invest in sculpture art.
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Modeling:
Modeling is an additional process. The media that artists use to mold sculptures include clay, wax, pulp, and plaster. When a soft or malleable material (such as clay) is constructed (sometimes on a skeleton) and shaped to create a form, a model sculpture is created. Model sculpture can also be the first step in casting or carving sculptures. It can also be viewed directly as art sculptures.
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Casting:
The cast sculpture is made of molten material (usually metal) and then poured into a mold. Let the mold cool to harden the metal. Casting is an additive process. Casting sculpture involves modeling the sculpture, then making a mold and casting it in metal or other media. Bronze art sculptures are generally used in this step. Bronze sculptures occupy a large proportion of people’s lives, and many handed-down antiques are also made of bronze.
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Carving:
The sculptor removes unnecessary material to create the shape. This is also called subtractive sculpture. Generally, materials such as wood blocks, stones, and other hard materials are used. Engraving involves cutting or cutting off a shape from a large amount of stone, wood, or other hard materials. The material is systematically removed from the outside to the inside. Carved sculptures, such as Michelangelo’s Pieta, can take years to be carved out of marble. Among carved sculptures, marble art sculptures are the most handed down. Many classic figures and gods have been handed down from generation to generation by marble carvings.
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Assembly:
Sculptors gather and add different materials to create assembled art sculptures. Assembly is an additional process. Assembled sculptures will pull bits and pieces—some are recycled—from almost anywhere into textures that satisfy the artist. An example of a combination is Martin Puryear’s That Profile above.
No matter what kind of sculpture technique, it can produce beautiful art and leave a treasure that is handed down from generation to generation.