Media: Sculpture — Modeling A welcome addition While carving is a reductive process of cutting away hard materials, modeling is an additive process involving malleable materials such as clay and plaster. Instead of visualizing the final form from the outside in, the artist must build a form from the inside out, gradually adding on materials to fill out the form. The fine art of flexibility Andrew Ruble Since modeling materials are so flexible, the artist can achieve fluid forms and rich textures that would be difficult to achieve with harder, stiffer materials. Modeling is used in the complex process of casting, to help an artist create a refined, yet organic form. Modeling helps sculptors to capture spontaneous visions, but also enables them to produce finished works (such as the ceramic sculpture shown here). Click on a technique to learn more about sculpture methods. Carving  Modeling  Casting  Constructing