Those who regularly follow the posts on this blog already know: a book was offered for winning. And how did the contest go?? Well, I must say that the response wasn't really overwhelming: four people have dared to submit a comment. The advantage though is that it will be a lot easier for me to choose the winner.

First of all a sincere thank you to the contributors for the effort. Maybe I've raised the bar a bit high by already naming so many tips myself in the first, second and third reports with tips for beginning sculptors. I don't often teach sculpture anymore and thought that people who recently started sculpting would probably be able to add unto them, because they experience it afresh and anew.

It now appears that the commenters (is that a proper English word… reactors, commentereers, commentatoriors, commentariators, commenteerers?) are mostly people who already have lots of experience working in stone, and perhaps also the people who trust that what they report is sensible.

Jan writes: I have already bought the book, but now I'd like to win the book with my tip for a fellow enthusiast of sculpting club ''Creativity Centre Workshop 6" in Heerhugowaard
My tip is, first make a clay sketch and then go buy a stone, that way you'll know the required height, width and depth dimensions that need to fit into the stone.

Paul writes: Appearance is important, but the experience of crafting your stone is the most important, that's what you do it for. It is a wonderful experience when you hit the hammer on the chisel, slowly something starts to take shape that was only in the mind at first, sometimes it takes a different direction, but don't worry, in the end something beautiful will come of it.

zeP writes: The first and most important universal tip: Look, look, look, always and everywhere!
Feel and touch material and shape, structures and walk around it; understand the movement.
Study and draw a lot for understanding and make models to make the transition from 1 front view to all of the views. Start with block (cube) with perpendicular sides you can easily draw side views... And then you make an image, Then make it exciting by showing a new exciting shape from every viewing angle... With sharp tools... but yes, you already had those tips yourself. :)

Roger writes: The book “The Complete Sculpture Book” is a book that should not be missing in the studio of a sculptor. Edited by highly professional people. It is completely in the literal sense of the word. Anything to do with the sculpture is discussed. This book is a MUST. You will be surprised. More than recommended.

The best tips in my opinion, are those of Paul and ZEP. Looking and trying to understand is so important, and so is studying. But the tip of Paul's is something I didn't address myself yet: it is so important to have fun creating and that will show in the end result. The importance of a playful, open attitude is still too often underestimated; there is usually a strong emphasis on output and outcome, but the process itself is just as important.

As I already explained in on my personal page the sculptor is not just polishing the stone, but the other way around, this process works just as well, often unnoticed. By that I mean that personal development is inseparable from the sculpture process itself, and that working on a block of stone also becomes working on yourself. Through all the struggles you get your limitations, frustrations and challenges, but also your inner sense of beauty, for play, for wonder. And with his comment Paul in my opinion deserved the book, so I will send it to him. Paul, you will receive an email with my congratulations and request for your address!