[Woodcarver] How about some basic relief carving techniques?

[Joe Dillett]

Hi Fran,

The last issue of Carving Magazine, Issue 19 page 61-66, I have an Ask Joe feature on Depth of Relief. The magazine should still be on the magazine rack at your local stores.

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.net [business web site]
http://www.carvingmagazine.com ['Ask Joe' column]
http://community.webshots.com/user/joe_dillett
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  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Fran Hill 
  To: '[Woodcarver]' 
  Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 8:19 AM
  Subject: Spam:***, [Woodcarver] How about some basic relief carving techniques?


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  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









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