Golden Rules of Carving part 2

In last month's blog (September 2024), I promised you a box of shiny eggs and gave you first three. Here are three more, 4-6, to make up the half dozen in your box.

These are carving principles and ideas that have been part of my own practice for what seems like, ever. Eggs are a good metaphor. Sit on them, hatch them out, grow them into your own practice.

4

      You Can't Have Too Much Preparation

Abraham Lincoln once wrote: 'If I had six hours to cut down a tree, I'd spend the first four sharpening my ax.' 

Outstanding advice. As is this one: 'Failure to prepare; prepare to fail.'

Yes, you need well-sharpened tools, good wood, lighting and place to carve etc. But before you pick up that chisel, get your act together. For us carvers: research, sketches, models, maquettes, working drawings, sample carvings - and whatever else you need to take you confidently on your journey.

Lettering is a great example of the need for preparation. Incising into the wood is just fixing your drawing, so you need tave that drawing absolutely right, on paper and in your mind:

5

      Technique

'Techniuqe' is what you do with your tools; it's the way a musician plays their violin. Work on doing everything to the best of your ability, and never stop learning. 

This means, among other things, fully taking on board:

• The way wood, grain, 'works'
• The 'slicing' and other ways to cut
• The 'wedge effect'
• Clean surfaces, fluid lines, keen junctions
• Keeping your carvings clean

You'll find all these ideas and techniques on Woodcarving Workshops. Use the search box or rummage through the video directory. Soak them up!

6

      The Importance of Design

You are communicating with the viewer. Think about how their eye arrives at your carving, what do they see first? And then, after it does, how does their gaze moves around?

What are they seeing? What are they feeling?

What story are you telling? Narrative, a story, something a bit different, is always attractive.

Your physical carving expresses your design. So much of the viewer's experience of your work, the success of your carving, is in your mind, probably more than in your hands.

(Sure, there are things to make up as you go along, but thinking about it beforehand stops you going down the road of no return. There's no 'backspace' key in woodcarving.)

Related Videos:

• 3-legged Stool of Woodcarving.
• Preparation
•