30 Different Types of Art Sculptures based on their Media and Techniques

Sculptures are the most creative forms of art, where the artist’s imagination gains a three-dimensional look. It is an ever-growing art form, evolving and changing to the likes of the contemporary world. We can create different types of sculptures using a wide variety of media such as rocks, wood, metals, paper, fabrics, rubber, plaster, etc. Be they small or huge, these three-dimensional structures made through different sculpture techniques continue to stand as a bridge connecting our past and present. The contemporary world has come up with different types of sculptures without confining them to carved objects or statues. We can classify this most appealing visual art form into several types based on the sculpture techniques, the media and the forms in which they are available. Let us look into different types of sculptures ranging from traditional to modern sculptures.

Different Types of sculptures

Different Types of Sculptures based on techniques

Based on their sculpture forms and Techniques,

Sculptures on Relief
- High Relief
- Low Relief
- Bas Relief
- Sunken Relief
Carved Sculptures
Full Round Sculpting
Cast Sculptures
Modeling Sculptures
Assembled Sculptures
Installation Sculptures
Kinetic Sculptures
Earthwork Sculptures

Types of sculptures based on the MEDIA

There are 34 different types of mediums sorted in the NEXT PAGE - Click here. (Clay, wax, Stone, Fabric, etc...)

Relief Sculptures

The relief sculpture technique is also known as relievo. In this technique the sculptures remain attached to the surface in which they are sculpted. It is a unique method which combines both two-dimensional pictures and three-dimensional sculptures. The relief sculptures are usually classified into three different types namely, high relief, low relief and sunken relief.

1. High relief sculptures

The high relief sculptures are also known as alto-relievo or alto-relief sculptures. In this technique the sculpted images projects outside the background surface. Some parts of the sculptures are fully disengaged from the ground. The high relief sculptures create similar effect as that of a free standing or round sculptures. High relief sculpture stone palmyra baalshamin god paris by cmdixon High relief sculpture wood carving mythology character High relief sculpture vishnu wood

2. Low relief sculptures

They are also known as basso-relievo or bas-relief sculptures. In this technique, the sculpture projects very slightly from the background surface. The perspective of the sculptor can be easily understood from the front view of the sculpture. Low relief bas sculpture banteaysrei cambodia ravana

Bas relief sculptures

A French term from the Italian basso-relievo(Low Relief), bas(pronounced bah) is a sculpture technique in which figures the elements are more prominent than the background.

Bas relief sculpture woman dance angkor combodia Bas relief low woman apsara famous angkor wat cambodia Bas relief low woman sculpture angkor wat cambodia Bas relief angkor wat devatas female cambodia Bas relief khmer soldiers war Bas relief low sculpture interior peacock by goga tandashvili

Bas relief low sculpture on wood from phillipine museum

3. Sunken relief sculptures

The sunken reliefs are also known as intaglio or incised relief sculptures. In this technique the sculpted image never rises above the background surface. The sculpting takes place below the background surface.

Sunken relief sculpture egypt nefertiti amarna Sunken relief sculpture akhenaten nefertiti and their children Sunken relief sculpture egypt museum

4. Carved Sculptures

Carving is a subtractive process of shaping a material by chipping and scraping away the surface of the material. Initially, in this process the outer forms of the sculpture are created and then the inner details of the sculpture are done. Carving is usually done on hard materials like wood and stone using sharp tools such as chisels.

Wood carving sculpture buddha Old wood carving sculpture sun god hindu Wood carving sculpture ganesh hindu god Wood carving sculpture krishna hindu god Wood carving hindu god Wood carving jesus sculpture

40 Beautiful Wood Carving Sculptures and Designs from around the world

25 Realistic Wood Sculpture Art works by Giuseppe Rumerio
Wood sculptures

5. Full Round Sculpting

They are popularly known as free standing sculptures. These sculptures are completely three dimensional and can be viewed from different angles. The sculptor must consider the centre of gravity of the pieces to make sure the sculpture will not fall over. These sculptures are generally not heavy on top and ensure the mass is uniformly distributed throughout the sculpture.

Full round sculpture depicting justice Terracotta sculpture god tamilnadu karuppu swamy

6. Cast Sculptures

In this sculpture technique we use a mould to create the sculpture. The artist pours a pliable or liquid material such as molten metal, wax, rubber, clay or plaster into the mould and allows it to harden into the desired shape. The same mould can be re-used several times thereby allowing the sculptor to create similar sculptures.

Cast sculpture in glass in murano venice Casting sculpture in bronze Bronze sculpture antique Bronze sculpture Bronze horse sculpture by marly

Look into bronze sculptures that are usually created using the casting technique.
25 Beautiful Bronze Sculptures and Bronze Casting Art works

See remaining sculpture types in NEXT PAGE

7. Modeling sculpturesAssembled sculptures
8. Installation sculptures
9. Kinetic sculptures
10. Earthwork sculptures
11. Types of Sculptures Based on the Media ( 34 TYPES )

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7. Modeling Sculptures

Sculptors work on soft materials such as wax or plaster to build sculptures of their desired design. Modeling is an additive process where we create sculptures by adding the sculpting media to attain the desired shape. Unlike carving, we can change the shape of modeled sculptures while working on them.

Modeled sculpture in wax donald trump by saint chaffray Modeled sculpture in wax donald trump hillary clinton Modeled sculpture selena wax by madame Clay sculpture by matias sierra Ceramic sculpture by christopher david white

8. Assembled Sculptures

Similar to modeling, assembling is an additive process. The sculptor uses any different material, puts them together to attain the desired sculpture. The artists are free to use any type of materials such as discarded materials, scrap and everyday objects to create the sculpture. The sculptors can use techniques such as welding and gluing to put the three-dimensional artwork together.

Assembled sculpture compass points by george hart Assembled sculpture bridging between by tiffany schmierer Dream sculpture by the sea by faith semiz Scrap material sculptures 11 Scrap metal sculpture john lopez Sculpture scrap metal by robert coudray Scrap material sculptures 23 Copper wall art sculpture by pierre matter

50 Beautiful and Creative Metal Sculptures and Metal Wall Sculptures

9. Installation Sculptures

Installation sculptures are also known as site- specific sculptures. Installation sculptures are conceptual artworks of the contemporary world. The sculptors use various objects from different media and give the desired form to the sculpture on a large area. These sculptures have the potential to transform large spaces or the complete room into an artwork.

Installation sculpture diversity wild by okuda san miguel Street art installation by thomas dambo Street art installation by thomas dambo Street art installation by thomas dambo Street art installation by thomas dambo

10. Kinetic sculptures

Kinetic sculptures are modern concepts which use movement of the sculpture is an integral part of the sculpture design. The most commonly used techniques to construct kinetic sculptures are diffusion of colored water, smoke, mercury, bubbles and oil. Some artists also rely on water; wind and electricity to propel movement in their sculptures. These sculptures constantly challenge the viewer’s perception of the artwork.

Kinetic sculpture by anthony howe Kinetic sculpture steel david cerny Kinetic sculpture in steel by david cerny Kinetic sculpture

11. Earthwork sculptures

Earthwork sculptures, commonly known as land art are created by interacting with nature. This sculpting technique is highly conceptual. The artist sculpts the land itself or makes structures in the landscape using natural materials like rocks or twigs.

Earthwork sculpture by patrick dougherty Earthwork sculpture by andy goldsworthy

Types of sculptures based on the media

The types of sculptures based on the media used for sculpting are given below. This list comprises of and may not be confined only to a wide range of media from the traditional stone or wood to randomly found materials such as wire or paper.

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(34 DIFFERENT TYPES OF SCULPTURES)
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Types of sculptures based on the media & Techniques

The types of sculptures based on the media/medium used for sculpting are given below. This list comprises of and may not be confined only to a wide range of media from the traditional stone or wood to randomly found materials such as wire or paper.

Clay sculptures
Wax Sculptures
Stone Scultpures
Marble, Granite, Limestone, Sandstone, jade, agate, onyx, rock crystal, sard or carnelian
Fabric Sculptures
Plaster Sculptures
Rubber Sculptures
Sand sculptures
Ceramic sculptures
Wood sculptures -
Best Sculpting woods are : Basswood, Aspen, butternut, black walnut, Oak, boxwood, lime, linden, teak, alder, willow,
Sawdust Sculptures
Metal sculptures -
Best sculpting metals are : Bronze, Copper, Iron, brass, aluminum, lead, Gold, Silver, Jade, Ivory, pewter and zinc
Plastic Sculptures
Ice sculptures
Paper sculptures
Glass sculptures
Pencil sculptures
Wire sculptures
Sculptures from scrap material
Sculptures on food
Fruit Carving Sculptures
Book Sculptures
Garden Sculptures
Kanzashi Sculptures
Felt Sculptures
Pottery sculptures
Terracotta Sculptures
Balloon Sculptures
Cement Sculptures
Wrought iron sculptures
Welded sculptures
Sewn sculptures
Bone sculptures, Antler sculptures
Cult sculptures - chryselephantine statues
Gem sculpture / Gemstone

Here are a few examples of sculptures from the contemporary world to inspire you.

Our Editor’s Experience

17 Sep 2025

Sculpture changes with material and process, from carving stone or wood to modelling clay, plaster, fabric and metal. Three dimensions provide artists plenty of room—and occasionally require a stronger floor.

— Neelakandan · Designer · Editor

SHARING IS CARING

30 Different Types of Art Sculptures based on their Media and Techniques

Different Types of sculptures

Different Types of Sculptures based on techniques

Types of sculptures based on the MEDIA

Relief Sculptures

1. High relief sculptures

2. Low relief sculptures

Bas relief sculptures

3. Sunken relief sculptures

4. Carved Sculptures

5. Full Round Sculpting

6. Cast Sculptures

7. Modeling Sculptures

8. Assembled Sculptures

9. Installation Sculptures

10. Kinetic sculptures

11. Earthwork sculptures

Types of sculptures based on the media

Types of sculptures based on the media & Techniques

12. Clay sculptures

13. Sand sculptures

14. Ceramic sculptures

15. Wood sculptures

16. Metal Sculptures

17. Ice sculptures

18. Paper sculptures

19. Glass sculptures

20. Pencil sculptures

21. Wire sculptures

22. sculptures from scrap materials

23. Fruit Carving Sculptures

24. Hyper realistic Surreal sculptures

25. Outdoor Art sculptures

26. Hand-crafted Kanzashis

27. Copper Sculptures

28. Inspiring sculptures for garden - Outdoor

29. Sculptures with daily use objects

30. Sculptures of Buddha

31. Food art sculptures

32. Wall art sculptures

33. Kanzashi Sculptures

34. Needle Felt Sculptures

35. Terracotta Sculptures

36. Balloon Sculptures

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