Creation is often a passion of artists, but there are those who find it a relaxing way to spend some of their leisure time. Few people have a yearning to meld metal, stone or wood into a sculpture as a hobby. They might find it takes too much effort, or their artistic talents could confine them to something easier. For those few who have found they would like to create pieces that are original and difficult to master, starting sculpture can be their ticket to artistic paradise.
There are many different forms of sculpture in the art world, and clay is one of the easiest ways to begin. Throwing pieces on a wheel is not really considered to be within the realm of sculpting, and those interested will find they are generally working a piece by hand or with small tools. The object of their creation could be a bust of a person, or it would be an animal or famous building. Their job as a beginning artist is to create something recognizable out of the clay for others to view.
One of the reasons many beginning sculptors are taught to use clay as a first medium is that it gives them plenty of latitude to correct any mistakes. A soft and malleable substance, it can be taken apart and reformed as long as the clay remains wet. It can be a long process to learn all the techniques necessary to complete even a small sculpture, but it can be something a hobbyist can perfect throughout the years.
Many of the largest and more famous sculptures in the world are created out of metal or rocks. It takes years to learn how to take off small pieces to create something that can be recognized from the vision of the artist, but it is often a labor of love.
