From accelerators (chemicals that speed up the hardening process) to workmate (a portable workbench popular in many studios), this key reference contains all a working sculptor needs to know! Not only does it include details on techniques, but if offers guidance on a wide selections of materials, from bronze and concrete to polystyrene and glass. Hints on adapting tools and producing unusual finishes all give sculptors greater versatility in their craft. And the recipes-including one for mixing aggregates-plus facts about setting, hardening, and curing times will prove invaluable. Numerous photos show sculptors at work, and showcase famous sculptures, and there are diagrams of tools. It's the definitive guide to studio practice.

Cast and carve, weld and mold, model and rivet: whichever method you choose, sculpting is intense and rewarding. From assemblage to brazing, more than 30 techniques unfold in these beautifully illustrated pages. The pleasure begins with a chart of possible materials: the large menu of imaginative options includes clay, plaster, wood, stone, and papier mâché, as well as more unusual suggestions like aerated concrete block, rubber, and found objects. Create an armature for producing a life figure. Form a bird from such surprising items as plastic coat hangers, felt-tip pen caps, and a threaded steel rod. Form a steel fish by melting metal with an acetylene torch and welding pieces together. Finish off by coloring, make repairs when something goes wrong as you work, and find inspiration in photos of magnificent pieces, all arranged by theme. You'll build a solid foundation for your sculpture-making skills.