The other day I was sculpting on small detail work when my friend asked what I was doing? “Working on details” was my reply. “Everyone LOVES details.” And this sculpture of a US Marine Honor Guard has a lot of them. There are Marine emblems of different sizes on the belt buckle, cap, buttons on the jacket and collar. In addition to all of the detail work that had to be placed just right, there was also symmetry to deal with, something that is always challenging on a sculpture. Feet together, shoulders square, eyes straight forward. It’s all of these little things (as well as the big things like composition and the silhouette) that make a sculpture really good. If there is symmetry involved it needs to be done really well. If there is detail work that needs to be done EXTREMELY well. Details help to bring people closer to a sculpture allowing them to admire the artwork for a longer period of time.
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| Honor Guard Presenting Arms (US Marine) by Sutton Betti, detail |