>>4214951Tomasz Radziewicz, Aris Kolokontes. check them out op, best example of "real" sculptors with job in concept art industry
my only experience with sculpting is what i had to pass at my art college so pretty much nothing, but i enjoyed observing the sculpting students and they had probably the best life drawing skills from all departments, really detailed and the value work was top notch. there was even one guy who carved human figures in fucking marble (or whatever the cheaper stuff is), no idea how this is usable nowadays but i do hope that guy can make a living. i sculpted a head for my final grade and the prof advised us to make sketches first, i do think they helped me a lot but i have no idea how the pros approach it.
if i were you OP i'd literally contact a pro and ask them a few question, most of pro artists are really kind and helpful and someone for sure will answer anything you need and it will be 100x more useful than what this board (including me) could tell you.
