Tweet
Good evening all,
I began a new carvings today, the subject is something different for me, a dragon's head, in relief. I had a nice stick of Basswood here that has been haunting me, just waiting for the right project to appear, and today it did. I picked up a copy of Lora Irish's book on Dragon Patterns, and found one that I thought I would give a try.
I traced the pattern onto the wood, and instead of carving away the background, I deceided to try drilling the background away on the drillpress with a Forestner bit. It worked splendidly, and saved me hours of laborous carving and a sore neck and back. ( I should have read that other book sooner, 'Elements of Wood Carving' by Chris Pye, thats where I got the idea ).
I then began carving the surface of the background, to texture it and get rid of the small holes left by the bit, and was enraptured with the ease of the gouge going through the wood. The chizels and gouges I was using walked through the Basswood like a hot knife through butter, and was such a pleasure to do. Even when I began shaping the edges of the dragon , cross grain, they still shaved the wood off , almost effortlessly! Just to expariment, I switched blades and tried several different shapes and curves, and the results were amaizing. My sharpening skills must be improving and all that practice, bearing fruit.
I know this may sound strange to you, but to me it's a big deal. I haven't been able to exert a lot of perssure/strength in my carving for a while and I missed it, and this has really...... motivated me, encouraged me. I was really afraid I wouldn't be able to enjoy the type of carving that I once did, relief carving and now I know that I can once again. It is like a heavy weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
I still have to take it slow and only work for short periods, but at least I can carve again. Power carving, just isn't the same, masks, dust, and all. A keen edge lets the wood talk to you and tell you her secrets, and now I can speak that language once again. I missed that!!!
Just thought I'd share that with you.
Bob
I began a new carvings today, the subject is something different for me, a dragon's head, in relief. I had a nice stick of Basswood here that has been haunting me, just waiting for the right project to appear, and today it did. I picked up a copy of Lora Irish's book on Dragon Patterns, and found one that I thought I would give a try.
I traced the pattern onto the wood, and instead of carving away the background, I deceided to try drilling the background away on the drillpress with a Forestner bit. It worked splendidly, and saved me hours of laborous carving and a sore neck and back. ( I should have read that other book sooner, 'Elements of Wood Carving' by Chris Pye, thats where I got the idea ).
I then began carving the surface of the background, to texture it and get rid of the small holes left by the bit, and was enraptured with the ease of the gouge going through the wood. The chizels and gouges I was using walked through the Basswood like a hot knife through butter, and was such a pleasure to do. Even when I began shaping the edges of the dragon , cross grain, they still shaved the wood off , almost effortlessly! Just to expariment, I switched blades and tried several different shapes and curves, and the results were amaizing. My sharpening skills must be improving and all that practice, bearing fruit.
I know this may sound strange to you, but to me it's a big deal. I haven't been able to exert a lot of perssure/strength in my carving for a while and I missed it, and this has really...... motivated me, encouraged me. I was really afraid I wouldn't be able to enjoy the type of carving that I once did, relief carving and now I know that I can once again. It is like a heavy weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
I still have to take it slow and only work for short periods, but at least I can carve again. Power carving, just isn't the same, masks, dust, and all. A keen edge lets the wood talk to you and tell you her secrets, and now I can speak that language once again. I missed that!!!
Just thought I'd share that with you.
Bob
On second thought.......I like it this way. A sharp tool, some easy wood and some inspiration. It will do me! 
Comment