Sculpture is a form of expressive art known since ancient times. Talented, patient and dedicated people worked for years in their dusty workshops creating the next masterpiece. Only a few of them succeeded and became famous in their lifetime.
A sculptor is an artist who creates volumetric and tangible creations from various solid or plastic materials – stone, clay, concrete, plaster, wood, using molding, carving, casting and other techniques.
The first works of art by sculptors date back to prehistoric times. The profession itself is believed to have originated in Ancient Egypt, and became respected and reached its heyday in Ancient Greece and Rome. The ancient period left a legacy to posterity of great sculptures of Venus of Milos, David, Discobolus, and Athena Pallada. These cultural monuments have survived many centuries and are on display in museums and galleries.
Sculptor’s professional skills
Sculptors are not born, you can become one in the course of a long journey. This profession is suitable only for those who are ready to constantly learn new things and improve themselves. Before beginning practical work, the sculptor must master the following skills and abilities:
Drawing and experimenting with different techniques;
work with materials and know the features of each of them;
know how to use different tools;
to orientate in art history, to distinguish works of the known authors;
repeat techniques of the best masters;
know the basics of geometry, anatomy, biology.
How to become a sculptor
Usually people in the creative professions show early talent in their field.
To become a sculptor, you need to develop artistic abilities from childhood. Future sculptors from an early age have good inclinations in drawing and sculpting. Training in art schools gives them the initial skills. But if a person is determined to become a professional and master the necessary knowledge and skills, then it is necessary to go to university.
Training for the profession: specialties and requirements
The profession of a sculptor is obtained in universities. Various institutions offer training to applicants in such specialties as “sculpture”, “monumental and decorative art”, “decorative and applied art”, “artistic treatment of stone”.
Entrance requirements for applicants are the same. Besides, applicants have to present their portfolio with the best work in drawing and modeling and then be interviewed by the commission.
Learning peculiarities of sculptors
Studying at the university lasts 6 years. Students master classical drawing, copy works of great masters, build compositions, study anatomy and plasticity of the human body, try different materials. Every year, future sculptors undergo practical training in museums and temples. The best of them even at an early stage of training can become participants of professional exhibitions.
Interesting! Similar to theatrical schools, students after 1-2 years pass to the teachers’ studios, who become their supervisors till the end of their study.
At the end of their studies, sculptors complete their thesis work. They present their own finished work to the commission, using all the knowledge and skills they have acquired.
Where else can you get the necessary skills
If in the past to become a sculptor, you had to be trained by an eminent master, imitating him and adopting experience, today there are many opportunities to master the art of sculpture. Besides prestigious institutions of higher education you can learn sculpture or get elementary knowledge about it in other ways.
Art schools and studios. In these institutions, classes are held even with beginners sculptors with no experience in sculpting or drawing. They also prepare schoolchildren for admission to art institutes. Studying at such institutions gives experienced sculptors the opportunity to improve their skills or try their hand at a different genre.
Prospects for the profession
The profession of a sculptor allows you to realize artistic talent and achieve success with the public and art connoisseurs. Hard work and luck will help to become a famous master and earn a lot. However, as with any creative person, there is a great risk of remaining unclaimed. Some find it difficult to find orders, others cannot cope with creative crises and physical exertion, and some leave the profession because of unstable income.
In Italy, the average monthly salary of sculptors is about 5 thousand euros. In prestigious institutions, artists receive 8-16 thousand euros, depending on the number of orders.
In the United States, the sculptor profession is a low-paying profession. The average annual income of a sculptor is about $35,000 or $2.9-3.0 thousand per month. Therefore, masters are forced to organize exhibitions and look for customers-collectors.
To become a sculptor means to go a long way of learning the skill, finding a genre and your own style. For people who associate their life with sculpture, sculpting is not just a hobby that soothes and helps to express themselves. Only dedicated artists can work in this field.