Michelangelo would refer to his model collection to see if there was anything he could use from it. Since he had a photographic memory this step was automatic.



A Bozzetto , or sketch models would then be made in clay or wax or on paper View



A terrocatta Model model would be made. View



The terracotta model would then be presented to the patron for approval.



A wax model would be made of the terrocatta Model. The wax model could be changed by dipping it into hot water. Final details could also be added to the hard wax model. View



Sketches or models would be made of the marble block to be cut. View



Transporting Marbles from the Carrar Quarry. View



Michelangelo would sometimes make small model for futher studies View



Michelangelo would begin by paiting a outline of the statue on the marble block.



Michelangelo would block out the marble using the water method: The wax model would be immersed in water and the water lowered as the carving is done. Michelangelo possessed a photographic memory and a excellent sense of enlarging and judging by the eye alone. He wouuld then free carve the marble using the small terracota model and from studies that he made. View



Using Sculpting tools Michelangelo would then zero in on the torso chisling out the figures outlines and cross hatching as in a deep relief. He carved his statues as he drew his pictures by crosshatching Or, click here to see tool marks on the Pieta



Once he got the torso done, he could then proportionally sculpt the rest of the statue in proportion to the fininsihed torso.



Sometimes large clay or stucco models were made so other sculptors to to work from. View



After the statue was completed Michelangelo would sometimes give away the terracota, and wax models. Sometimes he would cast the wax model into a bronze or stucco and give it away. If made into a bronze the wax model would be destroyed. Several of these models that Michelangelo gave away survive to this day survive to this day. View Others will say that Michealangelo used a pointing machineto make his sculptures Click here to see a Youtube video However pointing machines weren't invented by Gatteaux in France (1751–1832).till long after Michelangelo's time. According to Wikipedia " Before the invention of the pointing machine by Gatteaux, sculptors used several methods to measure and copy sculpture, such as grids,which were already in use in early Egyptian sculpture, plumb-bobs, measuring sticks and calipers. The main technique was to measure the model from three fixed points with calipers. Others will say that he didn't use a pointing machine, but that he worked from large models and free sculptued. However, there is no evidence on the unfininished sculptures that he used a pointing machine. View



