The whole idea of sculpting, of transforming an animate block of marble into something brimming with life, can appear beyond the talents of many. However, it's a craft that you can learn, and success with it start with knowing which tools to use.

Step 1 Wear protective safety gear at all times. Sculpting produces microscopic (and sometimes very large) chunks of rock that can irritate the eyes and lungs. Wear protective eyewear and a respirator to avoid these complications. You also should wear gloves to protect your hands from flying chips.

Step 2 Choose your chisels based on the material you are sculpting. For harder rocks like granite, a carbide tipped chisel is a must. For softer rocks like marble, use steel tipped chisels. There are numerous varieties of chisel sizes available for removing stone.

Step 3 Select a hammer much the same way you would for a chisel, based on the type of work you are doing. Some are better for soft stone, some hard, some are better for removing huge chunks, some for tiny details. Have a wide variety on hand to accommodate your sculpture.

Step 4 Use a rasp when your sculpture is nearly complete and you need to do some gentle detailing and smoothing. A rasp looks like a nail file in many cases. There are a variety available depending on the stone you are working with and the amount you plan to remove.

Step 5 Experiment with pneumatic options. There are a wide variety of air-powered chisels and hammers on the market for sculptors. These can save you a great deal of time and effort. However, some feel the work suffers due to these tools.