How to Sculpt Like In the Renaissance:

Renaissance art is noted as one of the most notable in history, from Michelangelos David
sculpture to his paintings on churches and cathedrals. Renaissance sculpture is a revival of GrecoRoman designs, the statues of gods found in their temple ruins influenced the art in this era. The
prime artists in this classicalist period emerged in Florence, Italy, between1400 to 1550. The art began
after a long period of metallic gothic style art. The emergence of Renaissance art created very precise
and accurate depictions of reality or a style called naturalism. They showed new principals such as the
detail of the hair and perspective not occurring in previous eras and the addition of the gradation and
reliefs in their sculpture. The scenes often depicted religious or biblical scenes. The sculptures in this
era were dominated by the wealthy, the Medici family controlled a lot of Italian arts ruling that market.
The art was designed to show influence, power, and authority. If you think you can handle that, read
this quick How-To instruction.
Step 1:
Find someone who is very wealthy to sponsor your projects, even if they arent crafted out of
precious metals like gold or silver, the stone can get very pricey. In Renaissance times the (good)
sculptors used marble, Istrian stone, Pietra-Serrena sandstone, and occasionally bronze. The materials
came at a premium in renaissance times and is still very expensive today. But if you arent ready for
that you can use wood or even clay which occurred often in the heavier wooded areas of Europe.
Either way some funding is absolutely necessary.
Step 2:
You need to provide a basic design or idea for you want to accomplish, to convince the wealthy
management of the project that your idea is feasible. These were sketches or studies listing the
concepts you want to include, the materials, and how it will look as well as its final dimensions. People
will often hire or acquire pupils to work under you to help with busy work, might be a good idea if you
are planning on making large sculptures.
Step 3:
The next thing Renaissance artists will do is create a small scale model of their project. This
was often a critical part of the operation. They would make the models out of clay or even wood where
they could determine any factors that might affect the final project. This was the point of no return for
many artists, it was the last time you would get approval to continue your project. If the funders liked
the model they would give you the material to build the final form, often marble- quarried and
imported. This step similarly for you, this will be the last time that you can modify your work, so make
sure it is what you and your wealthy friends had in mind.
Step 4:
Now that you have worked out your techniques and you are ready to move on you will get
your large material, depending on how big it is you may have to chisel it in separate parts. You only
get one chance so dont mess up (no pressure). You are working your final slab and have calculated all
the measurements. Now youll work with your pupils (If you have some) to carve out the rough form
of your project, focusing on the reliefs and size of the pieces you are working making sure they are
proportional.
Step 5:
Now that you have all the pieces laid out and almost carved into their final form, you need to
go back and sand them down into a smooth, flowing, final appearance. This part is critical to the
project it highlights the important details of the sculpture. Renaissance art was made famous by its

realistic look and attention to detail. You need to be able to carve out the object you are making with
life like realism. Power tools can probably help you with this step (something Michelangelo never had).
but it is more common in more recent times for stone carvers to use an acid to smooth the stone and
make it less coarse.
Step 6:
At this point it was common for Renaissance artists to finish their pieces. Those that used
marble or other large stones would wax the sculpture to soften the color and enhance the appearance
of the sculpture. Those who used clay or a fired stone would glaze the piece to give it shine and color.
It is probably a good idea to do the same and finish your piece similarly.
Step 7:
Now that you have your sculpture complete step back and look at it. Now take a large hammer
and smash it viciously because youll never be as good as the old masters like Michelangelo, who was
the very best in his time.

1 Image Website: www.wallcoo.net/paint/Michelangelo_Buonarroti2 Research from: www.Visual-artscork.com/sculpture

(Websites regarding art, art history, and techniques were used for research to base the steps off
common practices of both Greco-Roman artists and those of Renaissance artists. The website provide
accurate time critical information about many famous pieces and their construction as well as artistic
movements occurring around their creations time period.)