[Woodcarver] Texturing Tools

[Merrilee Johnson]

Sounds like a very convincing story to me, Joe!  And you told it so well I 
was glued to my seat in anticipation for the rest of the story! :)  (And BTW 
it does make sense also.)  See you next week in Evart!
Merrilee


>From: "Joe Dillett" <jdillett at thecarvingshop.com>
>Reply-To: "[Woodcarver]" <woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>
>To: "RAY MIGHELLS" <raymighells at earthlink.net>,"[Woodcarver]" 
><woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>
>Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Texturing Tools
>Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2004 08:30:17 -0500
>
>To make a DONATION to the Mailing List using PayPal OR regular mail, click 
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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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