Wood carving is a special craft. It requires extreme patience that could flourish with a fine imagination. If you decide to become a wood carver, you'll have several styles to choose from. You could use just a piece of wood and a small knife. Or you could go so far as using power tools. So how can you know which style is best for you?
There are five main styles of woodcarving. Each style is distinctly different from the other. These styles are whittling, chip carving, relief carving, intaglio carving and carving in the round.
◦ Whittling. Whittling involves the removal of pare shavings or bits of wood with a cutting blade. It is the simplest form of wood carving, but not actually the art of wood carving. This is a significant distinction because whittling is, and should always be, very simple. All you need is a piece of wood and a knife and you're set to go. And because it is so simple, whittled objects don't have much detail, as is the case in all other styles of wood carving.
When you're holding a whittled object in your hand, you absolutely know it. You can plainly see each knife stroke. It remains as simple as when it began centuries ago, during the time of cavemen. Isn't that amazing?
◦ Chip Carving. Chip carving involves the use of several knives to remove small pieces of wood (chips) from a flat wood surface. These are specially made chip knives that are used to push or pull at the wood, cutting upwards or downwards to free each chip.
Chip carving has expanded to become its own art form. The main technique is to chip varying triangular shapes from the wood. This is done in a way that creates intricately detailed patterns that are often geometric in nature. Free form lines are regularly used to accentuate these chipped patterns. You could really let your imagination go.
◦ Relief Carving. This type of carving is done on a flat back cut of wood with images cut in 3-dimensional fashion. These are the wood carvings you see on walls or sitting on tables or surface tops.
There are two types of relief carving. A low relief carving is identifiable by the visual effect that is created. Without shadows to imply deep carving, the product appears very shallow and is thus considered low relief. In high relief carvings, a spectacular depth effect is created by the addition of shadows throughout. Both types result in carvings with good dimension and detail. The end product is polished to create a very smooth surface. Then it may be painted, waxed or varnished.
◦ Intaglio Carving. This style of wood carving is very similar to relief carving. But instead of looking as though it is above the wood surface, it looks as if it is part of the wood. This is because the design is actually carved deep into the wood, below the surface. Think of old wooden rolling pins. Remember the cute little pictures that were carved into it? That's intaglio carving.
Intaglio carving has been very popular with furniture makers. It has come so far as to be fitted for a blank space, carved separately and then inserted into the furniture. How about that? It can even be found in dining tables and in bedroom furniture. It's wonderful for wood paneling. You can even see it in specialty plaques, as part of an existing decorative item or as the actual surface of coffee tables and end tables.
◦ Carving In The Round. This is the most advanced style of wood carving. It involves a completely detailed carving that can be viewed from all sides. It is carved out of the wood and its base serves as a supporting platform or as a pedestal. The carving could be a person, an animal or a landscape-nearly anything you can imagine. It could be life-sized or to scale. The sky is almost the limit with carving in the round.
This style of carving requires quite a number of tools. A variety of knives, gouges and chisels are a bare minimum. The use of power tools is not surprising and often expected. The final product then is usually quite spectacular. Oftentimes, a product of carving in the round is easily mistaken for a porcelain creation. The details are that impressive.
Wood carving has been around since the days of cavemen. With time, it has become quite an impressive art to behold. It's very relaxing, often exhilarating and extremely satisfying. If you're looking for a hobby, wood carving could be just what you're looking for.
About the Author:
Len Q. is a master blade sharpener. If you would like to learn more about ª Knife Sharpening: How to Sharpen Knives, Maintain and Store Them ª Sharpening Other Edges (i.e. Chain Saws, Lawn Mower Blades, Gardening Tools, Axes) Find it at
http://www.MakeKnivesSharp.com
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Wood Carving: So You Want to Be a Wood Carver
Wood Art Transfer
|
|
DARK TO LIGHT~Thai Handmade Mango Wood VASE~ART~NEW $22.99 |
|
|
11x14 GOLD GESSO WOOD FRAMES ART/OIL/WEDDING/PICTURE $29.99 |
|
|
NEW 8x10 WALNUT WOOD PICTURE FRAME WEDDING ART OIL $31.49 |
|
|
Art Ori "Jerusalem-Jaffa Map" Wood Wall Clock Hebrew $59.00 |
|
|
Art Ori "Jerusalem-Jaffa Map" Wood Wall Clock English $59.00 |
|
|
Wood Batik Panji Mask Hand Carving Quality Asian Art $9.00 |
|
|
CARVED WOOD DOLPHIN ART HOME DECOR $0.99 |
|
|
SOLID WOOD FRAMED FINE ART PRINT SUNSET CAMPING $42.99 |
|
|
Oriental Asian Wood Mirror LOVE Calligraphy wall art $31.99 |
|
|
Painted Lombok TRIBAL MASK Asian Art BALI Wood Carving $4.88 |
|
|
GUITAR WOOD GLASS MIRROR RAINBOW MOSAIC WALL ART ELVIS $9.99 |
|
|
Epoch ARTS® Frame 5x7 NEW Distressed brown Wood $18.95 |
|
|
Wood Vineyard Window Frame Wall Art and Shelf w/Hooks $14.99 |
|
|
Primitive Wood PLATE Country Folk Art Rustic Home Decor $9.99 |
|
|
Tropical Tiki Beach Frog Art Print Wood Sign $14.95 |
|
|
Tropical Under The Sea TURTLE Art Print Wood Sign $14.95 |
|
|
Tropical Under The Sea OCTOPUS Art Print Wood Sign $14.95 |
|
|
Tropical Iguana RV Camper Art Print Wood Sign $14.95 |
|
|
Tropical Under The Sea SNAIL Art Print Wood Sign $14.95 |
|
|
Tropical Tiki Bar Open Art Print Wood Sign $14.95 |
|
|
Tropical Under The Sea SEAHORSE Art Print Wood Sign $14.95 |
|
|
Tropical Under The Sea SHARK Art Print Wood Sign $14.95 |
|
|
Tropical Under The Sea FISH CRAB Art Print Wood Sign $14.95 |
|
|
Tropical Beach Chairs Umbrella Art Print Wood Sign $14.95 |
|
|
CHILDRENS WOOD ACTIVITY ART STUDENT DESK TABLE NEW $55.99 |
|
|
Antique Style Arabesque Art MOP Large Wood Mirror Frame $95.00 |
|
|
Wood Wine Box Panel Plaque Sign Art Ready to Hang $29.99 |
|
|
IVORY COAST BAOULE DANCE~Carved Wood Mask~AFRICAN ART $70.16 |
|
|
HAPPY SAD FACE~Bali Hand Carved Wood ART Mask $34.16 |
|
|
Hand Carved Wood Art Mother of Pearl inlaid Heart Box $24.95 |
|
|
Hand Carved Wood Art Mother of Pearl inlaid Box FISH $24.95 |
|
|
25" Fleur Di Lis Decorative Wood Art Sculpture Accent $73.63 |
|
|
FOLK ART WOOD PRIMITIVE TAGS ORNAMENT CROW SHEEP FLAG $8.95 |
|
|
Folk Art wood lighthouse weathervane $380.00 |
|
|
BUCKLE MY SHOE WALL ART - GIRL WOOD DECOR $2.99 |
|
|
20" WOOD DECOR HAND MADE CARVED ART MASK STATUE FIGURE $9.95 |
|
|
Lakeside Retreat Wall Art Gilded Wood Frame $12.95 |
|
|
Star Dance Metal N Wood wall art decor Sculpture $59.90 |
|
|
Choclate Fleur Contempo Wood Box wall art sculpture $46.90 |
|
|
AFRICAN GHOST FACE MASK~Tribal Carved Wood ART Nigeria $53.96 |
|
|
2-8x10 GOLD GESSO WOOD FRAMES ART/OIL/WEDDING/PICTURE $24.99 |
|
|
2-8x10 GOLD GESSO WOOD FRAMES ART/OIL/WEDDING/PICTURE $24.99 |
|
|
*2 LAMP SET* 28" CHERRY RETRO WOOD TABLE LAMPS ART DECO $99.00 |
|
|
Hand Carved Wood Art Mother of Pearl inlaid Box FLOWER $33.00 |
|
|
Designer Fleur Wood Contempo Box Wall Art Sculpture $46.90 |
|
|
CAST your TROUBLES AWAY wood FISHING WALL art LAKE SIGN $18.99 |
|
|
Home Styles Arts & Crafts 24" Solid Wood Counter Stool $99.00 |
|
|
FoLk ArT Wood ANGEL BLOWING HORN Americana 8" Wall Pc $4.25 |
|
|
Tribal Ritual 11" Solid Wood Wall Art Décor Mask #338 $24.85 |
|
|
rustic coffee,end table, bench, wood Cabin art, craft $310.00 |
|
|
Designer Red Wood Contempo Box Wall Art Sculpture $59.90 |
|
|
2-8x10 GOLD GESSO WOOD FRAMES ART/OIL/WEDDING/PICTURE $24.99 |
|
|
Home Styles Furniture Arts & Crafts Wood Pedestal Desk $739.00 |
|
|
NEW Hand carved Wood Art Fretwork Wooden Box UNIQUE $24.95 |
|
|
Choclate Blue Beige Accent Wood Box Wall Art Sculpture $64.90 |
|
|
CoNTeMPoRaRY MoDeRN AbSTrACT ArT Wood WALL SCULPTURE $295.00 |
|
|
Pastel Taper Surfboard Wall Art Beach Wood Longboard $79.00 |
|
|
3 Panel Cherry Oriental Shoji Screen / Room Divider $28.99 Beautiful wood framed divider/screen. Gain additional privacy by dividing up a room or use as a decorative accent piece. Also great in the bedroom to create a private dressing area. The wood trim is solid with shoji paper insert. Shoji is a translucent, smooth textured vinyl coated fiberglass that looks like rice paper. This 3 panel screen folds up for easy movement and storage. Great as a gift. N... |
|
|
11x17 / 11 x 17 Black Picture Frame - NEW .. 1.25'' wide $6.75 Brand New 11x17 Picture Frame. Frame can hang vertically or horizontally. Hardware not attached - easy to install. This 11 x 17 Black frame is made of Wood, measuring 1.25'' thick(wide), with a .375 '' deep rabbet(inside depth - the space below the lip to the bottom of the frame). Is carefully made to the highest industry standards. This frame comes with Glass. Please don't hesitate to browse thro... |
|
|
24x36 / 24 x 36 Black Picture Frame - NEW .. 1.25'' wide $19.85 Brand New 24x36 Picture Frame. Frame can hang vertically or horizontally. Hardware not attached - easy to install. This 24 x 36 Black frame is made of Wood, measuring 1.25'' thick(wide), with a .375 '' deep rabbet(inside depth - the space below the lip to the bottom of the frame). Is carefully made to the highest industry standards. This frame comes with Plexi Glass. Please don't hesitate to brows... |
|
|
Christian Coigny 'Le Reveil' Wood Framed Art Print $148.99 Artist: Christian CoignyTitle: Le ReveilProduct type: Framed print |
|
|
Stainless Steel Red Wood Inlay Art Deco Cuff Links $22.99 A striped design with red wood inlay creates an Art Deco feel in these cuff links. This men's accessory is crafted of polished stainless steel. |
|
|
Stainless Steel Red Wood Art Deco Knot Cuff Links $18.99 A knot-inspired design with red wood inlay creates an Art Deco feel in these cuff links. This men's accessory is crafted of stainless steel with a polished finish. |
|
|
The Art of Wood-fired Cooking $17.99 The Art of Wood-fired Cooking |
|
|
The Art of Jewelry: Wood $10.55 The Art of Jewelry: Wood |
|
|
Ocean Weathered Wood Rectangular Standing Art $120 -Wood |
