stone for a green man

["jwn-lcsw" <jwn-lcsw@zzzzzzz>]

Dear Norman,

I'm pretty much a beginner myself, but I think I can offer some
suggestions.  The first is that the Foredom is a good tool for detailing
areas that you can't reach with a chisel, but it won't give you the
sharp line, texture and fine detail that you get from a sharp chisel.
Secondly, the Foredom isn't nearly as efficient either, especially in
removing stock.  From what I've seen, many carvers almost never use a
grinder except to level large surfaces, or a circular saw to cut deep
groves when roughing-out a stone.

As for stone, soapstone is beautiful, comes in many colors, and is easy
to carve.  You don't need expensive tools.  I have used Virginia Black
Pearl which is very hard; however, it finishes beautifully.  Next, and
probably easiest to work is limestone.  Because it's soft, it won't take
as much detail as a harder stone, like marble.  Limestone is great for
portrait busts, or pieces with sweeping lines.  Since limestone
(Indiana) only comes in one color, is extremely uniform, and has little
grain, composition is everything.  Lastly, forget granite and sandstone
- too dangerous.

These are just my thoughts ...john in Burke, VA.