Bear Soapstone Carving 

I can’t remember the song titles exactly but it’s a Solitudes series for Canada. www.amazon.ca/Canada-Naturally-Beautiful-Solitudes/dp/B0037SGKTM

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@@whiteravenstone I'm so sorry, I lost track and just now saw this reply - many thanks!!

Rustoleum painters spray clear gloss

@@whiteravenstone do you buff it out after you apply or leave as is?

@@antoniogomez9048 I typically will bring it up to a 400 grit before apply multiple coats of spray polyurethane. The sheen is built into the polyurethane (in this case high gloss), so there is no need to buff.

Thank you tenderly! :) Your question requires more then a short story to answer! To sum up though, try both. This was my first attempt a bear sculpture, and 5th stone sculpture. I hardly sculpted anything to this prior other then plasticine. It’s hard to know which (painting of sculpting) is better until you read people’s feedback. I used to paint, but hardly received the profits I do now. That way many years ago. I find I’m more passionate about carving since stone speaks to me from a roots perspective. Very challenging for patience. If you have patience, you can do it. But secondly, be prepared to get messy, and have space. Stone carving can be a tall investment with many tools - but you can start with as low as 300 plus stone. Lastly, do you love to tinker with tools? Lol. Thank you for your question and feel free to write.

@@whiteravenstone Thank you for the reply! Knowing this was one of your first attempts in stone gives the whole process a different weight :) About sculpting, if it was to be a profession I would like to use only traditional tools, and try to stick to projects that can be finished by hand. In terms of a full time job is that realistic? There is no issue getting messy or being patient, and I like tinkering as well. It's a life course changing decision... I'm currently headed towards digital art, but sculpting has always thrilled me. As you put it very nicely: "I find I’m more passionate about carving since stone speaks to me from a roots perspective". Don't have a plan *yet* for this direction though! :)

Your interest in art is clear and that’s what’s important. What medium speaks to you most is what matters on the likelihood of your success in that medium. I shouldn’t say much because I spent my younger years exploring most of the drawing mediums, and have only recently arrived at stone carving (approx 4 years ago). Every medium has its hurdles but don’t that stop you. And don’t let profit weigh you down initially too!! I started with traditional tools which is a fundamental building block. It appeals to the tradition and romance of it all, but for moving into the shape faster, it’s undoubtably more practical to have some power tools. Just don’t show them in the promotional videos. :). I don’t do this full time as that would be a giant leap of faith, but still find successful sales at the local and online sales with a VERY part time focus on stone carving. I would take it slow on stone carving until you find your roots, and go as fast as you please but don’t burn out. But art - full force ahead. I wish I had don’t that years ago and went to art school to take that leap.

@@whiteravenstone I'm most probably going to experiment in these fields as well - for the immediate future that is. The choice is hard! The profit factor plays an important role for the moment, but I guess I'll just see how it works out. Thank you very much for the advice, it helped a lot. I wish you the very best for your future projects! Hoping for upcoming video updates. Take care! :)

I did a light sand between coats and heated it a little but got lazy and sprayed while still slightly tacky on second bear. Seemed to be alright