Getting Started

["Bill Smith" <bsmith@xxxxxx>]

Hello Mori -

The book that I referred to is: DIRECT STONE SCULPTURE
by Milt Liebson. During a discussion of popular carving
stones, Mr. Liebson describes the range of hardness of
stones and recommends working in the "middle" of the
scale to start to learn carving.

On page 20, Mr. Liebson states:  "... soapstone should
be avoided. Although soapstone is quite lovely with
delicate shading and graining, it is extremely soft, and
will tend to fracture at the slightest pressure. Its
softness will instill a feeling of complacency that will
do harm in the progress of student's training. Often,
the material will fracture during carving causing
distress to the carver.  In addition, soapstone is
heavily laden with talc, a material that can cause
illness and lung disease if inhaled over a period of
time. The bottom line regarding soapstone is that I do
not allow the material in any of my classes."

Others may feel that Mr. Liebson is too cautious with
the above statement, but you may want  to  leave
soapstone until later in your work ...

Good Luck and Take care,
Bill smith