Artists masterfully transform rigid metal into seemingly soft, flowing forms through a blend of technique and creativity. One key method involves hammering and forging—repeated strikes with specialized tools allow metals like steel or copper to bend organically, mimicking fabric-like folds. Thermal manipulation, such as annealing, softens the material temporarily, enabling precise shaping before it regains hardness.

Texturing plays a vital role; techniques like chasing (indenting the surface) or acid etching create shadows and highlights that suggest movement. Some artists use welded wire armatures to build lightweight "sketches," which are then clad with thin metal sheets for a dynamic, wind-swept appearance.

Modern approaches include 3D-printed metal lattices that replicate fluid geometries impossible with traditional methods. By combining these processes, artists trick the eye into perceiving weightlessness in inherently heavy materials—a testament to human ingenuity in redefining material boundaries.