* Follow-up to message from: astefanescu * Original date (y/m/d) was: 1999/09/19 I would recommend two simultaneous approaches 1. Always work into strength. That is be careful that all chisel strokes are going into the body of the stone and not towards any articulated (extended parts). this requires planning the cut so that material underlays your carving until the detail is complete. Then that supporting material is removed. An example of this is the struts one sometimes sees left between carved fingers. 2. Learn to sharpen your tools. Working with wood sometimes can drive this message home. Naturally the finer you work the smaller the chisel. These can be honed using a diamond file or better yet a diamond coated plate that allows easier sharpening. One can often use the chisel as a gouge (without a mallet) to get fingernail detail or detail aroungd the eye. I also recommend courses at the Carving Studio in Vermont. These have been excellent in my estimation. Good luck. ........................................... FAQ info and help on using this list is on http://www.learningstone.net/lslstfaq.html
