A Sculptor's Guide to Tools and Materials [Paperback]

Bruner Felton Barrie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1998

A comprehensive guide for the student sculptor who wants to learn about clay and wax modeling, wood carving, stone carving, ceramics, moist clay products, and mold making, casting, and enlarging. Addresses all aspects of the use and function of sculpting tools and materials used in traditional sculpture. Each chapter concludes with a troubleshooting section which answers questions most frequently asked by the student and those troublesome areas experienced by the sculptor. Also explains how tools are made. Charts on proportional requirements of materials, weights and measures, plus an extensive glossary of terms are provided. A key word technique can be used to easily explore a topic.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The book is the answer to many of the questions he (Mr. Barrie) receives daily about tools and materials used for sculpture. A good resource for those starting out in sculpture or for sculptors who would like to start working in a different media and want a general idea of how to select tools and materials -- National Sculpture Society Book Catalog, October-November 1999

From the Author

All of us have had some experience with art. Most people will have at least some knowledge of the art field and the materials used by artists, for example, oil paint, acrylic, charcoal, and canvas, maybe even gesso and turpentine. Most art students will also have a good general knowledge of their specific fields of study, whether it be pen and ink, abstract drawing, painting, or sculpture.

Sculpture, one of the disciplines within the art field, constitutes only about three percent of the entire field. Its major categories, such as ceramics, wood carving, stone carving, mold making and casting, vary greatly. And students, as well as teachers of sculpture, may not know all aspects of sculpture; for example, a stone carving instructor may well know everything there is to know about carving stone, where it originates, and the various hardnesses and colors of stone, but might not know at what temperature to bisque fire a stoneware clay. This is not uncommon; the stone carver should not be expected to know all that a ceramist would know about modeling clay and firing, and vice versa. The same would hold true for wood carvers; they, too, would have limited or no knowledge of mold making and casting bronze.

This is why I have written this manual. With twenty-five years of experience in the manufacture and sale of sculpture materials and accessories, and having been given formal instruction in all areas of sculpture (stone carving, wood carving, mold making, casting, wax work, enlarging, and pottery) I have acquired hands-on experience enabling me to answer questions in all sculpting categories. I can also identify the sources for those items that may be somewhat outside the field of sculpture.

This manual was originally intended for the sales staff of Sculpture House so they could answer questions as they came in to our office, and could provide product information to those purchasing our materials. A second incentive to publish this manual is to support the art stores which sell sculpture materials and supplies. Since trained employees often move on to other jobs after only a few short months, the stores are unable to maintain a solid core of personnel knowledgeable in sculpture. I also want to assist schools and institutions which offer sculpture classes. A reference guide to the tools and materials covering the entire realm of sculpture seems a perfect solution to this problem. Finally, it occurred to me that not only Sculpture House and sales personnel could benefit from this manual, but anyone interested in the field of sculpture.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 134 pages
• Publisher: A B F S Pub (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096318671X
• ISBN-13: 978-0963186713
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,928,193 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No fluff, just the facts!, May 13, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: A Sculptor's Guide to Tools and Materials (Paperback)

I took up sculpting several months ago, and I've found my "niche" with polymer clay doll-making. I've dabbled in ceramic and terra-cotta medium, but I'm also willing to try different methods of creations in the 3D World. I bought this book to give me some insight into different techniques, and that's just what it contains. Unlike so many books that try to be everything to everyone, this book gets down to the facts quickly, giving the reader a good idea of what a venture into a new sculpting medium will mean in terms of equipment and expertise. There are plenty of books that will walk a reader through every little step to create a clone of what the writer or artist has created. This book guides the reader towards the tools and different methods, without incringing on the reader's own creativity. I hope to find other books like this one on subjects like painting and photography, although sculpting is quickly becoming a passion and consuming most of my "art time". Bravo to the writer(s) and publishers of this book, and thank you!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Dated...but useful for ideas when in a jam..., August 25, 2006

By 

CLG "Carrie Greenwald" (South Dakota) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Sculptor's Guide to Tools and Materials (Paperback)

Rather boring lay-out, but it does provide info useful to help when looking for ideas not currently thought of when setting up projects. We use it in a fossil preparation laboratory for general review, but again, there are probably other texts that might fit the bill. Nevertheless I am glad our lab has it...too many young "creators" forget the obvious and this book helps remedy this problem.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Helpful, August 16, 2005

By 

Ann Winter "Spikespeak" (Chicago Illinois) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Sculptor's Guide to Tools and Materials (Paperback)

As a beginning rock sculptor, I found this book very helpful. I would have liked more information on the "how" the tools are used and more information on which tools were best for which materials, but it really helped me to get started on my rocks. I would recommend this book for anyone getting into rock sculpting.