Artists masterfully transform rigid metal into seemingly soft, flowing forms through a combination of techniques that manipulate perception. One key method involves precise hammering and forging, where repeated strikes subtly curve and thin the metal, mimicking organic folds. Texturing plays a crucial role—artists use chasing tools, acid etching, or sandblasting to create surfaces that scatter light like fabric.

Strategic polishing creates gradients from matte to reflective, suggesting pliability where hardness exists. The principle of "contrapposto" (counterpose) in sculpture applies here: by offsetting weight distribution, artists imply movement and suppleness. Contemporary creators often combine metals with actual soft materials (like woven wire) to heighten the contrast illusion.

Advanced methods include heat patination for color transitions resembling textiles, or laser-cut perforations that simulate transparency. Ultimately, it's the artist's understanding of human visual processing—how edges catch light and shadows imply depth—that sells the delicate deception. These techniques remind us that metal's nature is only as rigid as the artist allows it to appear.