Relief Carving in Wood : A Practical Introduction

by Chris Pye

• ISBN13: 9781861080967
• ISBN10: 1861080964
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 1999-06-30
• Publisher: Guild of Master Craftsman

Summary

Within this full-color tutorial that outlines the entire carving process, beginners will find guidance on setting up a workplace; choosing and using tools and materials; even what to do if things go wrong. Suggestions for "next steps" include more advanced techniques and advice on designing projects.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	ix
Introduction	1	(2)
How to use this book	2	(1)
Setting Up	3	(21)
A place to work	3	(2)
A piece of wood	5	(4)
A safe and convenient way of holding the carving	9	(1)
A selection of carving tools	10	(3)
A means of sharpening your carving tools	13	(9)
A suitable idea	22	(1)
Summary	23	(1)
Basics	24	(19)
Handling woodcarving tools	24	(1)
Correct grips	24	(4)
Two rules	24	(1)
Two principal carving grips	25	(2)
Poor ways of holding carving tools	27	(1)
Manipulating carving tools	28	(2)
Ways of cutting	29	(1)
What carving tools do	30	(1)
Working safely	30	(1)
Cutting with carving tools	30	(2)
Basic cuts	32	(2)
Stabbing and stop cuts	32	(1)
Rocking, slicing and sweeping cuts	32	(2)
Running cuts	34	(1)
Using the mallet	34	(1)
Palm mallets	34	(1)
Grain	35	(1)
Understanding grain	35	(1)
Working with the grain	36	(3)
The carving process	39	(1)
What is relief carving?	40	(3)
Low Relief Carving Project	43	(33)
Getting ready to start	44	(1)
Drawing the fish	44	(2)
Guidelines	45	(1)
Transferring the drawing to the wood	46	(1)
Depth of background	47	(1)
Carving	48	(27)
Lining in	48	(3)
Grounding	51	(5)
Setting in	56	(6)
Modelling	62	(6)
Detailing	68	(4)
Background	72	(1)
Finishing	73	(1)
Hanging the carving	74	(1)
Signing	74	(1)
Summary	75	(1)
High Relief Carving Project	76	(37)
Getting ready to start	76	(1)
Drawing the fish	76	(1)
Background depth	76	(1)
Carving	76	(36)
Lowering	77	(4)
Rough setting in	81	(3)
Levelling	84	(1)
Rough shaping	85	(8)
Setting in	93	(1)
Modelling	94	(3)
Undercutting	97	(8)
Detailing	105	(6)
Finishing off	111	(1)
Summary	112	(1)
Further Techniques	113	(13)
Removing background waste more quickly	113	(1)
Faster wood removal by hand	113	(3)
Larger tools	113	(1)
Sawing	114	(1)
Bursting out	114	(1)
Trenching	115	(1)
Mechancial methods of removing wood	116	(3)
Routers	116	(1)
Drills	117	(2)
Dealing with enclosed grounds	119	(3)
Shallow ground	120	(1)
Deep ground	120	(2)
A simple depth gauge	122	(1)
Undercutting	122	(4)
Advantages	122	(1)
Disadvantages	123	(3)
Next Steps: Relief Carving Design	126	(11)
Your next relief carving	126	(1)
Where do ideas come from?	127	(3)
Relief carving design	130	(5)
Research	130	(1)
Drawings	130	(1)
Design thoughts	131	(4)
Additional tools	135	(2)
Gallery of Students' Work	137	(13)
Sheffield List Chart	150	(2)
Glossary	152	(4)
Resources	156	(3)
Bibliography	159	(2)
Index	161