[Woodcarver] How about some basic relief carving techniques?

[Fran Hill]

Hi, I have done a woodburning of an old stone fireplace, and it turned out
very nice I thought.  But I think it would make a great relief carving, with
maybe some burning for additional shading.  However.......I transferred the
whole thing and started carving....Well, of course, I carved away most of my
whole pattern.  I am trying to figure out how far to go because this
fireplace has things in front of it like the old pokers and a small bucket
of wood.  At first I thought the mantle should be the farthest thing to the
front, but now, I see that the things in front should be out farther than
the mantle.  Anyway, you can imagine what a muddle my board is in.  Does
anyone have any sort of 1,2,3 beginning steps for planning a relief carving?
I think my original plan is now pretty much beyond salvaging. 
 
 It seems like it shouldn't be so hard to figure out which layers to start
with, but wow, have I got my head into a muddle.  Any advice?  Or any
recommendations of books with good basic instructions on the relief style of
carving?  I really LOVE what others have done - I see so much depth and
definition in relief carvings, and while I admire the carvings in the round,
I don't think I'm capable of much in that department.  But maybe with some
guidance, I could do this type of carving.
Any help appreciated.
Arkansas Fran

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From: woodcarver-bounces at six.pairlist.net
[mailto:woodcarver-bounces at six.pairlist.net] On Behalf Of Linehan718 at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2007 11:30 PM
To: woodcarver at six.pairlist.net
Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] why


 
What actually fueled my posts about the drop in emails was the other day
when I opened my mail, only to find about 30 messages from pyro lists I'm
on, 25 from the sculptures lists and another 20 or so from a woodcraft list.
guess what, 3 carving emails and not even carving but chat related(I am not
against chat). I wondered why the other hobbies and crafts were going
strong, while all the carving lists were  pretty quiet and chatting  a lot.
It started me thinking about all the great discussions I used to get
involved in, both as learner and helper.  I also recalled that roughly 3 or
4 months ago, when waiting for the results of Matt Kelleys WOM pencil
contest, the issue seemed to be delayed quite a while. I  laughingly thought
to myself that they must be having a problem with "Notes from the net"
column since there hadn't been any decent carving discussions lately.  This
is not just a summer problem, or going away on vacation thing.  I have
definitely noticed a huge drop off in posts over at least the last year,
perhaps year and a half on all of the carving lists, even those that permit
chatting.  what I see is newbies joining and introducing themselves, maybe a
few replys and then the handful of regular posters go back to chatting,
maybe discuss some traveling to and from shows and the price of gas(yes all
woodcarving related).  There haven't been any real in depth topics discussed
lately and only a handful in recent memory. Then someone posts and asks why
we are all chatting and not helping him learn.  At first I was a little put
off by him and told him he needed to ask specific questions to get answers
but then I realized  the guy just wanted to absorb and learn as I did when I
joined some 5 years ago.  Yes I asked questions and got a ton of answers but
I also learned a lot listening to other peoples questions and answers.
There isn't much of that anymore, just an occasional interesting post. I
just wondered what was going on.  
 
To the new carvers who are just lurking about, we are here to help you but
can't if there are no questions to answer.  There are very knowledgeable
people, who know all about tools, construction, design, wood, carving
techniques, painting, burning and finishing.  Please don't be shy or
intimidated.  Most members remember me when I joined, big mouth, very
enthusiastic, would ask the stupidest questions, Im sure they could say
worse about me.  but boy did these guys and girls propel me to new heights.
I never imagined that I would be doing what I do now.  In short, you will
only get out of these lists what you put into them.  My personal mentor and
friend Charles Post has been diagnosed with end stage cancer and is nearing
the end of his days and recently gave me his toolbox(lord did the tears
stream down my face).  He asked me that I keep on with my carving and that I
bring others along behind me. 
 
So lets go newbies, what are you working on, what do you need to learn.

Maura Carving in NYC
www.carvinginnyc.com <http://www.carvinginnyc.com/> 







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