How to Carve Wood

Never tried your hand at woodcarving but would like to try?

Difficulty Level: average      Time Required: N/A

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Here's How:

1. Materials needed: Some fairly soft fine grained wood, carving tools including several sizes of gouges, a mallet and patience.
2. For simplicity's sake, relief carving will be described.
3. Draw your design onto the block of wood with a soft lead pencil.
4. Take your tool with the straight chisel blade and holding chisel vertically, outline the parts of design that should stand out.
5. With either straight blade or gouge, carve into the background at an angle toward the outlined object.
6. Carve away the background to desired depth and texture.
7. All foreground objects should extend beyond the surface in order to give illusion of depth.
8. Once you have the desired depth(s) of background objects the finishing touches and details can be done.
9. Slightly round off the edges of outlined objects.
10. Add fine details.
11. Carefully sand the piece to remove splinters and unsightly knife marks.
12. Do not try to remove all carving marks. You will remove details and character if you do.
13. Stain the piece with wood stain if desired. Let stain dry.
14. Lightly go over piece with fine steel wool.
15. Finish piece with desired finish such as polyurethane or varnish.
    
    

Tips:

1. Always carve away from hands and body!
2. Secure piece to work table to keep it from shifting while working on it.
3. Always use sharp, quality tools. Dull tools cause accidents.
   
   

Related Features:

• Linocut Prints
  For more detailed description of tools and techniques.
• The Compleat Sculptor
  For sculpture materials and tools.
• How to Carve Wood (part two)
  How to carve in 3D.
  
  

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