Sculptors transform rigid metals into seemingly soft, flowing forms through a blend of technical skill and artistic vision. One key technique is hammering, where repeated strikes thin and stretch the metal, allowing it to bend and curve organically. Welding plays a crucial role too—artists join smaller pieces to build complex, fluid shapes impossible to achieve from a single block.

Texturing adds another layer of realism. By carefully etching, polishing, or oxidizing surfaces, sculptors mimic the subtle variations found in fabrics or flesh. The strategic use of negative space also enhances the illusion; carefully placed gaps suggest movement and weightlessness.

Perhaps most importantly, masters study how light interacts with different finishes. A high polish can make bronze appear to ripple like water, while matte finishes imitate the dullness of draped cloth. Through these methods, cold, unyielding metal takes on an astonishing vitality, challenging our perceptions of material limitations.