The art of sculpting drapery or fabric in stone is a centuries-old technique that requires exceptional skill and a deep understanding of both material and form. Artists achieve this remarkable illusion through several meticulous processes.

First, they study real fabric intensely, observing how different materials fold, drape, and respond to gravity. Renaissance masters like Michelangelo would often soak cloth in plaster to create permanent models for reference. The key lies in understanding tension points where fabric pulls against the body and areas where it falls freely.

When carving, sculptors work from the top downward, mirroring how fabric naturally hangs. They use gradations in depth - from high relief near the body to barely raised surfaces at the edges - to create the impression of thin material. Special tools like tooth chisels and rifflers help create the delicate folds and wrinkles.

The magic happens in the finishing. By polishing some areas while leaving others rough, artists simulate how light interacts with different fabric textures. Concave surfaces appear as shadowed folds while convex areas catch the light like raised cloth. The most skilled sculptors can make cold marble appear as soft as silk or as heavy as wool through these subtle variations.

Modern techniques sometimes involve 3D modeling before carving, but the fundamental principles remain unchanged since classical times - a testament to the timeless artistry required to make stone flow like fabric.