Sculpting in the dark

Would it surprise you to learn that, during the sculpting process of every piece, I turn off the lights, and sculpt shadows? I learned this technique in 1992 from Mehl Lawson. If it’s pitch black outside I’ll use a candle.  If an area is too dark I will add clay and if it is too light I will create textures that darken. 

 I still have two or three months to work on this piece, but it’s starting to have the magic I’m looking for.

Football (circa 1890)

It’s about 20 inches tall and 34 inches wide.