Walnut Method: Pockets Of Convexity

The walnut method is all about finding pockets of convexity. One of my teachers, Anthony Visco, swore up and down that sculpting was all about convexity.

The rake tool was considered an instrument of evil. The proper way to build form was one small pellet of clay at a time. And it’s hard to debate that because his sculptures had a lot of life.

However, I am a huge fan of Richard Macdonald, and you can see in his sculpture that the rake brush doesn’t destroy vitality — it can add a lot of value. No doubt Mr. Visco’s opinion was formed by him having to survive modern art. He is, after all, one of the few teachers to carry realistic figurative work through those dark ages and train a new generation.

That said, I am forever grateful to him for introducing me to the importance of convexity in sculpture.