[Woodcarver] Texturing Tools

Fri Jun 11 10:42:04 EDT 2004

As Ray stated, this is just my opinion also ( and experience.)

We use stippling on backgrounds only to give the required projection of the
upper surface.
It is functional for all of the reasons Ray stated. The grain of the wood
precludes the appearance of an appliqué as it continues through the pattern
and background. The stippling hides the same effect quite well when you need
it as in repairs or when needing to display greater projection than you
material or circumstance allows. We often stipple large moldings that are
going to be viewed from the ground with no real control of the light to
enhance the viewing. The stippling is sometimes "tapered". Deep under the
foliage and lessened to nothing just an inch or two out to regain the grain
and color of the wood.

For a smooth background, even the oldest of carvings are done with a router
( the fixed blade one) or a scraper. They are very fast, and have been
around as long as chisels.

 The effect of a glass scraper gives a far smoother background finish than
sandpaper and were the earliest form of "routers". Melted sand cooled and
broken presents you with a multitude of shapes and radii. Even a small piece
hot melt glued to the end of a short stick will survive hours of use and
then be tossed back into the melting pot. You can clean under the undercuts
with them easily.

Good carving,
Phill Pittman
digicarve at verizon.net
www.masterwerkes.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe Dillett" <jdillett at thecarvingshop.com>
To: "RAY MIGHELLS" <raymighells at earthlink.net>; "[Woodcarver]"
<woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2004 8:30 AM
Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Texturing Tools

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>
> Hi Ray,
>
> I am very much in favor of texturing for the type of work that I do and
the
> places that it is displayed. Texturing exposes end-grain, which allows the
> finish to penetrate deeper, thus making it look darker. Texturing breaks
up
> the reflecting light, pointing it in different directions and creates
> shadows to make the surface look darker. Texturing is an excellent way to
> achieve contrast and add interest and hold the eye, like you have in your
> carving of the Vine and Branches. I think it is most helpful for a carver
to
> develop a wide vocabulary of texturing techniques.
>
> I think the reason might be for the old traditional European carvers to
> avoid texturing, and I'm just guessing here, is that even way back when,
the
> cheaper furniture and some architectural decorations used mass produced
> appliques by just attaching them to the surface. I think those old
> traditional carvers tried to distance themselves from being mistaken for
> using appliques. I think perhaps that's why they use the veiner for stop
> cuts, instead of the V-tool, so the transition between the background and
> raised portion is a smooth and rounded which makes a more gradual
> transition. This makes the raised portion almost appear as though the
design
> is growing out of the background. That way it would never be mistaken for
an
> applique. With this technique of a curved transition from the background
to
> the raised portion there is no definite line where the background stops
and
> the carving begins. Also the textured background will make it look more
like
> an applique process and not carved from a single piece. This is just my
> guess as to why texturing is seldom used by the old traditional carvers.
>
> I do know that you can achieve a very different look by softening the
> transition between levels with the curve of a veiner rather than the sharp
> transition of a V-tool. We seem to want our carving to jump off the board,
> almost to hit people in the face. We enhance this separation by using
> undercuts to create deeper shadows and make the design float away from the
> background. That is just the kind of people we are and that is the way I
> love to do my carvings. I want people to be able to see them from the
road.
>
> However in the old traditional European style most of the carvings were
used
> in a formal setting like churches and formal gathering places where a
softer
> look is less distracting and blends better with the feeling of the whole
> space. This softer look is accomplished by making the stop cuts with the
> elegant curve of the veiner, which is much less harsh than using the
V-tool.
>
> That's my story and I'm sticking with it. But remember this is only my
guess
> with no facts to back it up as to why old traditional carvers use textured
> backgrounds less than what we do.
>
>
> Joe Dillett
> The Carving Shop
> 645 E. LaSalle St. Suite 3
> Somonauk, IL. 60552
> (815) 498-9290 phone
> (815) 498-9249 fax
> http://www.thecarvingshop.com
> jdillett at thecarvingshop.com
> http://www.carvingmagazine.com Carving Magazine web site and Readers Forum
> **************************************************
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "RAY MIGHELLS" <raymighells at earthlink.net>
> To: "[Woodcarver]" <woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>
> Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2004 5:53 PM
> Subject: [Woodcarver] Texturing Tools
>
>
> > To make a DONATION to the Mailing List using PayPal OR regular mail,
click
> this link: http://wwwoodcarver.com/WWWList/WWWList.html
> >
> >
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> ----
>
>
> For Gene and anyone else curious,  I used Bill Judts suggestion and used
> common hardware bolts (6" length and a variety of diameters).  Grind the
> sides for the footprints you want,  then file the grouves in the end for
the
> pattern.  I file mine to just shy of a sharp point.  The old time
classical
> carvers said that textured backgrounds were due to a lack of skill in
> carving a smooth surface.  Kind of an egotistical mind set in my book.
> Maybe sometimes in formal carving you want a smooth background,  but this
> type carving, texturing gives a much greater projection of the design.
> Thanks to all who have commented on my new stuff.  Ray Mighells  6760 Rt
417
> Killbuck NY 716 945 0098 Please view my work at:
> http://www.picturetrail.com/razaxnstuff
>
>
>
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