Making a Headstone Base

Sculptor AC Button II of http://carolinasculpturestudio.com/ presents a Basic Video Series as an introduction to methods used in studio producing fine memorial and sculpture work. ‪@carolinasculpturestudio‬ is a growing video portfolio of his work and includes the Virtual Stone Carving Apprenticeship playlist for aspiring carvers and sculptors.

In this video, Button produces a 6"-2" x 2'-4" x 1'-4" Georgia Blue Granite Base with polished top, check & cove scotia dropwash and balance rock pitch detail from a basic piece of granite stock. He does all work in studio by hand using only the equipment shown in the video plus a 4 1/2" and 7" side grinders fitted with diamond saw blades. All scotia dropwash and check margin detail is carved and smoothed without grinding or abrasives. Carbide-tipped chisels and pneumatic hammers are used to produce the final leveled hand axed finish. Only the sharp edges are lightly abraded with a rubbing stone at the very end of the project to limit the chance of small fractures in the crystals on the edges.

This Granite Base project is featured in its entirety on the VSCA Video playlist in VSCA Videos 54-98. The VSCA is produced as an archive to the methods of the professional granite cutters, carvers and sculptors to guide new talent in their work and as a tribute to the relatives and many Masters who generously trained Button decades ago during his apprenticeship. Button's grandfather and other family members have done this type of finishing work for over a century. His cousin, Master Finisher and Carver Andy Hebert, trained him in these techniques.

For more information about Sculptor AC Button II, his work and training opportunities including pricing, visit http://carolinasculpturestudio.com for contact information.