How Do You Carve Using Alabaster Stone?
Alabaster is a soft, delicate stone. It is almost transparent, and exists naturally in pale shades of pink, yellow and white. Due to its delicate nature, alabaster has a tendency to scratch and bruise very easily. A bruise occurs when, using a mallet, the rock is hit too hard, leaving a mark. Bruises may be difficult or even impossible to remove from alabaster as you continue to carve. This stone is a good choice for small sculptures. Don protective gear to prevent injury. Eye goggles and a dust mask will keep particles out of your eyes and lungs. Fingerless leather gloves will protect the palms of your hands from sharp slivers of stone while allowing you to use your fingers for detail work. Wrist guards may guard against the strain of repetitive motions. Wet your stone with water and look for the fault lines, or grain. These lines act as a divider between different shades of color within the stone, or varying textures. Draw your design directly on the alabaster using a crayon or penci
