Friday 25 January 2013

When Learning Rock Carving Alberta Locals Become Part Of Ancient Tradition

By Doris Madden


Rocks have been used as art materials for hundreds of years, but recent spikes in interest have occurred because of the public's desire for natural materials and earthy styles for use as decor in their homes. When taking up rock carving Alberta residents can create free standing statues or wall based pieces.

Most ancient creations were made as a part of rituals. This means that the study of pictographs is often part of the study of ancient religion. In the modern world, they are being used as a cultural component. In some countries, they are an important part of the tourism industry, since they are generally rich in heritage and culture.

Motifs that have been drawn or painted onto stone with dye are called pictographs. They are generally created with natural pigments taken from ocher, minerals and charcoal. Traditional palettes include ocher, earthy reds, white and burnt umber. Stencils are archaeological hand prints in which the digits were immersed in dye or painted with designs.

When motifs are placed in engraved panels using hammerstone, they are called petroglyphs. In the creation of these, the tools used had their own symbolism, closely related to religious beliefs. Petroglyphs are sometimes hard to see because fine lines are used.

Figurines are stone artworks that are created by placing motifs onto pavements. Images that are engraved into stone are an imperative part of the historical culture of countries internationally. They are also used in shamanism. Spiritual leaders would wear them as protection when they journeyed between worlds.

Shamans can be identified in motifs by the fringed fabric they wear. This is symbolic of their ability to fly. The use of fringes is found in Mongolian regions, where witch doctors were believed to transform into birds. Different kinds of drums are another common motif that signifies their use in shamanic rituals.

Modern engravers play a core role in the contemporary art world. Novice hobbiests usually begin their design planning using clay models before they start to engrave in stone. There are several categories of stone that can be used. The most popular of these is soapstone, due to its softness and ease of use. Carving into soft stone is particularly easy, and it lets artists make use of tiny details.

Alabaster is also a soft material, but its grain and color can be enhanced through polishing. It can be a challenging material because it can flake. Carvers who are skilled learn to carve with the stone's grain to combat this tendency.

Sandstone and limestone are reasonably easy to carve, and they have individual grains that are characteristic. Neither stone is ideal for highly polished finishes. Limestone cannot be polished at all, whilst sandstone loses its sheen easily.

More experienced carvers enjoy the attractiveness of marble. Its distinctive grain and the high value of certain types make some finished carvings costly. Those using marble can achieve plenty of detail, but the hardness of the stone makes it difficult to work with. Granite is one of the most difficult stones to use. When taking up rock carving Alberta locals need a variety of tools to achieve different effects.




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