Raw-Stones/Materials
Steatith/Rapoko:
- Soapstone-Type soft-stone, often brown and freckled
- can be shaped with a knife
- will be used by children and beginners
- soft, sometimes very colorful - good for beginners
- the shaping is done with a chasing hammer
- the black or brown-black stone is harder than opal-stones but can still be worked on relatively easily
- a good stone for all who want to challenge themselves a bit more
- the hammer “springs” back after hitting the chisel with the hammer. The rasping and sandpapering also takes more effort. After doing the final job well, the pieces shine especially brilliant.
- a challenge - only recommend to strong and advanced artists or craftsmen
The making is only done with hand-tools. The rough shape is given by hammer and chisel or chasing-hammer. Details are created by different rasps and files or special hammers with different bits and points. To give the sculpture a smooth surface the whole piece or parts of it are being sand-papered/ water-papered whereby a finer one always has to follow the courser one from 80 to 1000. If wanted, shine and color can be given/achieved at the whole stone or partly with antic wax followed by a final polish.