Terry's
Tips
V There are lots of types, sizes,
colors, and opinions. Some people
like to throw them: at birds, cats,
skip them across ponds, or just collect
them.
V We sculptors impose additional
machinations on them to make them
our own. We can make them into
human figures (full/partial, posed/
abstract or clad/nude). Or just their
parts: faces: full, partial, masks, or
just eyes; hands, arms, legs.
V I like holes in my rocks: round
ones, ovals, open, shaped and
curved. Maybe with just a hint of a
depression or dimple.
V Polishing can be excruciating!
Try texturing with score lines and
chisel marks, or leave some natural
surface.
V A bas relief technique on a 3D
piece can have tentacles, leaves, and
vines going every which way. Spirals,
scallops, and bumps add texture and
patterns.
What to
do with
Rocks?
V Multi-piece creations can increase
the size and options for color
and shapes. Self-based sculptures
can save the cost and effort of pinning
to a separate base.
V Slices can be spaced apart with
another material or different stone
and pinned or glued into a stack or
rainbow.
V Inlays and overlays using gold,
aluminum, and copper foils, tinted
epoxies (oil-based washes for porous
stone) or aluminum and copper wire
can be used for special effects.
V As for possibilities for those
smaller scraps that are too good to
throw out, there are a lot. Drill a
hole, polish a side or two, and insert
a tea light, or a candle(s). Or drill it
deeper for a vase.
V A bowl shape can be the collector
of coins or keys. These smaller
creations that serve a non-art purpose
can be less involved from the finishing
standpoint. And, of course, you
have your own favorite concepts.
What to Do with Rocks 
- There are lots of types, sizes, colors, and opinions. Some people like to throw them: at birds, cats, skip them across ponds, or just collect them.
- We sculptors impose additional machinations on them to make them our own. We can make them into human figures (full/partial, posed/abstract or clad/nude). Or just their parts: faces: full, partial, masks, or just eyes; hands, arms, legs.
- I like holes in my rocks: round ones, ovals, open, shaped and curved. Maybe with just a hint of a depression or dimple.
- Polishing can be excruciating! Try texturing with score lines and chisel marks, or leave some natural surface.
- A bas relief technique on a 3D piece can have tentacles, leaves, and vines going every which way. Spirals, scallops, and bumps add texture and patterns.
- Multi-piece creations can increase the size and options for color and shapes. Self-based sculptures can save the cost and effort of pinning to a separate base.
- Slices can be spaced apart with another material or different stone and pinned or glued into a stack or rainbow.
- Inlays and overlays using gold, aluminum, and copper foils, tinted epoxies (oil-based washes for porous stone) or aluminum and copper wire can be used for special effects.
- As for possibilities for those smaller scraps that are too good to throw out, there are a lot. Drill a hole, polish a side or two, and insert a tea light, or a candle(s). Or drill it deeper for a vase.
- A bowl shape can be the collector of coins or keys. These smaller creations that serve a non-art purpose can be less involved from the finishing standpoint. And, of course, you have your own favorite concepts.
