30 Different Types of Art Sculptures based on their Media and Techniques

Different Types Of Sculptures

Sculptures are the most creative forms of art, where the artist’s imagination gains a three-dimensional look. It is an ever-growing art form evolving and changing to the likes of the contemporary world. We can create different types of sculptures using a wide variety of media such as rocks, wood, metals, paper, fabrics, rubber, plaster, etc. Be it small or huge, these three-dimensional structures made through different sculpture techniques continue to stand as a bridge connecting our past and present. The contemporary world has come up with different types of sculpture without confining them to carved objects or statues. We can classify this most appealing visual art form into several types based on the sculpture techniques, the media and the forms in which they are available. Let us look into different types of sculptures ranging from the traditional to modern sculptures.

Different Types of Sculptures based on techniques

Based on their sculpture forms and Techniques,

1. Sculptures on Relief
   - High Relief
   - Low Relief
   - Bas Relief
   - Sunken Relief
2. Carved Sculptures
3. Full Round Sculpting
4. Cast Sculptures
5. Modeling Sculptures
6. Assembled Sculptures
7. Installation Sculptures
8. Kinetic Sculptures
9. Earthwork Sculptures

Types of sculptures based on the MEDIA

There are 34 different types of mediums sorted in the NEXT PAGE - Click here.  (Clay, wax, Stone, Fabric, etc...)

Relief Sculptures

The relief sculpture technique is also known as relievo. In this technique the sculptures remain attached to the surface in which they are sculpted. It is a unique method which combines both two-dimensional pictures and three-dimensional sculptures. The relief sculptures are usually classified into three different types namely, high relief, low relief and sunken relief.

1. High relief sculptures

The high relief sculptures are also known as alto-relievo or alto-relief sculptures. In this technique the sculpted images projects outside the background surface. Some parts of the sculptures are fully disengaged from the ground. The high relief sculptures create similar effect as that of a free standing or round sculptures. High relief sculpture stone palmyra baalshamin god paris by cmdixon High relief sculpture wood carving mythology character High relief sculpture vishnu wood

2. Low relief sculptures

They are also known as basso-relievo or bas-relief sculptures. In this technique, the sculpture projects very slightly from the background surface. The perspective of the sculptor can be easily understood from the front view of the sculpture. Low relief bas sculpture banteaysrei cambodia ravana

Bas relief sculptures

A French term from the Italian basso-relievo(Low Relief), bas(pronounced bah) is a sculpture technique in which figures the elements are more prominent than the background.

Bas relief sculpture woman dance angkor combodia Bas relief low woman apsara famous angkor wat cambodia Bas relief low woman sculpture angkor wat cambodia

3. Sunken relief sculptures

The sunken reliefs are also known as intaglio or incised relief sculptures. In this technique the sculpted image never rises above the background surface. The sculpting takes place below the background surface.

Sunken relief sculpture egypt nefertiti amarna Sunken relief sculpture akhenaten nefertiti and their children Sunken relief sculpture egypt museum

4. Carved Sculptures

Carving is a subtractive process of shaping a material by chipping and scraping away the surface of the material. Initially, in this process the outer forms of the sculpture are created and then the inner details of the sculpture are done. Carving is usually done on hard materials like wood and stone using sharp tools such as chisels.

Wood carving sculpture buddha Old wood carving sculpture sun god hindu Wood carving sculpture ganesh hindu god Wood carving sculpture krishna hindu god Wood carving hindu god Wood carving jesus sculpture

40 Beautiful Wood Carving Sculptures and Designs from around the world

25 Realistic Wood Sculpture Art works by Giuseppe Rumerio

5. Full Round Sculpting

They are popularly known as free standing sculptures. These sculptures are completely three dimensional and can be viewed from different angles. The sculptor must consider the centre of gravity of the pieces to make sure the sculpture will not fall over. These sculptures are generally not heavy on top and ensure the mass is uniformly distributed throughout the sculpture.

Full round sculpture depicting justice Terracotta sculpture god tamilnadu karuppu swamy

6. Cast Sculptures

In this sculpture technique we use a mould to create the sculpture. The artist pours a pliable or liquid material such as molten metal, wax, rubber, clay or plaster into the mould and allows it to harden into the desired shape. The same mould can be re-used several times thereby allowing the sculptor to create similar sculptures.

Cast sculpture in glass in murano venice Casting sculpture in bronze Bronze sculpture antique Bronze sculpture Bronze horse sculpture by marly

Look into bronze sculptures that are usually created using the casting technique. 
25 Beautiful Bronze Sculptures and Bronze Casting Art works

See remaining sculpture types in NEXT PAGE

7. Modeling sculpturesAssembled sculptures
8. Installation  sculptures
9. Kinetic sculptures
10. Earthwork sculptures
11. Types of Sculptures Based on the Media ( 34 TYPES )

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