Just read Andy Hibberd's article on stone carving in the latest Wood Carving mag. Inspired me to post a couple of my own stone carvings. I started in stone back in 2007. I'd read Woodcarving as this was the closest thing to a stone carving journal I could find in the UK. Moved to wood because I wanted to carve in more detail and paint, but enjoyed stone carving for the couple of years I did it.

The orang utan is carved in Brazillian soap stone using (fairly cheap) wood carving chisels and soap stone rasps. It is finished with sandpaper and stone polish. Soapstone is soft and carves easily. It finishes well and comes in a variety of colours.



The polar bear was my last work in stone. Its carved from Lincolnshire limestone, which is moderately hard and full of fossils. It took me for ever to carve using claw chisels, cold chisels, marble points and rasps. I've included a pen for scale (it weighs around 45lbs with its base). Base made of white alabaster.



Edited by Whale - 19 Feb 2012 at 8:52pm

These are really nice Whale. This has got me thinking.... How well would soap stone stand up out doors?

To DHL, not sure I can agree with the comments about woodcarvers. From the idea and all routes, directly or indirectly, to the carving stage it can be the same journey (obviously not in all cases).  At that point its chose................................ wood or stone.  Glad my article sparked a  conversation.