Put a cloth beneath your carving area as carving Styrofoam can be messy. Position the Styrofoam block in a way that you can work on it comfortably. Gather your reference images and place them near you. Use a marker to draw the main outlines. Use crossed lines to indicate the areas you wish to remove.
Cut away the areas on each side of the head but be careful not to cut into the areas of the wings at the back. Use the saw for larger cuts, and the knife for more detailed cuts. Cut away the area between and around the wings. Form the shoulders, neck and head of the gargoyle, leaving enough material on each side for the pointed ears.
Form the arms on each side with hands clasping the knees. Form the legs at the front below the head. Cut out an area around the feet to form the rock it is sitting on. Cut away the area between the legs or leave them closed. Carve out the top of the thighs and the stomach.
Carve the shape of the wings and any detail on their surfaces. Leave them thicker where they attach to the back to indicate musculature. Detail the feet, hands and face of the gargoyle. Draw the knuckles and claws on the fingertips. Keep referring to your reference images to get the right shapes and proportions. Stylize the gargoyle to make it your own when carving the details. Keep working on the face until it looks striking.
Create smooth surfaces using the scraper. Create flowing lines and carve in areas on the limbs and chest to show muscles.Take your time to sculpt the gargoyle on all sides. Be careful not to carve away too much material at any point but use Styrofoam glue to attach more Styrofoam if necessary. Turn the sculpture 360 degrees and finish all the detail.
Brush exterior latex paint on the Styrofoam to seal it. Refine surfaces with sandpaper when dry. Apply more paint and sand between coats to build up a smooth surface. Paint in any latex color, and use a sealer on the paint to make the sculpture waterproof.