Creating smooth curves in stone sculptures is a hallmark of skilled craftsmanship, requiring precision and patience. The most common techniques include:

1. Grinding with Abrasives: Coarse to fine abrasives are used to gradually refine the stone's surface, removing rough edges and creating fluid contours. Diamond pads or silicon carbide stones are popular choices.

2. Hand Rasping: Sculptors use rasps and rifflers to manually shape curves, especially in intricate areas where power tools may lack control.

3. Power Carving with Rotary Tools: High-speed rotary tools equipped with carbide or diamond bits allow for efficient smoothing of curves, particularly in hard stones like granite.

4. Sandpaper and Polishing Compounds: Progressive grits of sandpaper (from 80 to 3000+) refine surfaces, followed by polishing compounds like tin oxide for a mirror-like finish.

5. Water-Assisted Smoothing: Wet grinding reduces dust and heat, preventing cracks while enhancing the smoothness of curves in softer stones like marble.

Each technique demands an understanding of the stone's properties—hardness, grain, and brittleness—to avoid fractures. Mastery lies in combining these methods to achieve seamless, flowing forms that define exceptional stone art.