Dennis Stevens
Member
- Messages
- 14
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
Hello All,
First off I would like to say thank you to Lora Irish. I just decided to get into wood carving about three weeks and have been scouring the Internet for credible information on the subject and how to begin. This search led me to Lora's webpage and gave me a starting point. After reading the information on her page I purchased a starter set of Flexcut tools, went to Michael's where I purchased two pieces of basswood and began carving. The first two carvings (pics included below) were from Lora's patterns and enjoyed it thoroughly. Which once again led me to Lora's webpage and ultimately here to Family Woodworking looking for the next project.
I am very excited to have found this community of impassioned woodcarvers and I apologize now for all of my newbie questions. I have been reading through past threads where I have found a plethora of projects to continue to feed my new addiction. As such I have ordered a grab box of basswood from Rockler's and cannot wait to start carving. Maybe wooden pliers or a spirit face. Any suggestion would be appreciated.
Now for my first question... Sorry I'm not an artist and this is probably art school 101.
My first carving was the flower. During this carving my goal was to, 1) learn how to use my new tools, 2) carve a low relief and 3) give the appearance that the flower is raised from the board. Would simply undercutting each pedal and not removing background material give the appropriate shadows to give the 3D illusion? Is it the shadows that give the impression of depth?
The second attempt at carving was the barn and silo pattern that was also on Lora’s page. During this carving I learned a few things. Always go with the grain and take a little at a time. This was learned during roughing or should I say splitting out the silo, which consequently sits back a little lower than originally planned.
Wow...just realized how long my rant has taken my first thread so I will stop now. Once again thank you Lora for the great resource and to the group for all the future input.
First off I would like to say thank you to Lora Irish. I just decided to get into wood carving about three weeks and have been scouring the Internet for credible information on the subject and how to begin. This search led me to Lora's webpage and gave me a starting point. After reading the information on her page I purchased a starter set of Flexcut tools, went to Michael's where I purchased two pieces of basswood and began carving. The first two carvings (pics included below) were from Lora's patterns and enjoyed it thoroughly. Which once again led me to Lora's webpage and ultimately here to Family Woodworking looking for the next project.
I am very excited to have found this community of impassioned woodcarvers and I apologize now for all of my newbie questions. I have been reading through past threads where I have found a plethora of projects to continue to feed my new addiction. As such I have ordered a grab box of basswood from Rockler's and cannot wait to start carving. Maybe wooden pliers or a spirit face. Any suggestion would be appreciated.
Now for my first question... Sorry I'm not an artist and this is probably art school 101.
My first carving was the flower. During this carving my goal was to, 1) learn how to use my new tools, 2) carve a low relief and 3) give the appearance that the flower is raised from the board. Would simply undercutting each pedal and not removing background material give the appropriate shadows to give the 3D illusion? Is it the shadows that give the impression of depth?
The second attempt at carving was the barn and silo pattern that was also on Lora’s page. During this carving I learned a few things. Always go with the grain and take a little at a time. This was learned during roughing or should I say splitting out the silo, which consequently sits back a little lower than originally planned.
Wow...just realized how long my rant has taken my first thread so I will stop now. Once again thank you Lora for the great resource and to the group for all the future input.