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I say 'lowering' the background rather than 'removing' it to emphasise that it's best done in a methodical, efficient way.
I'm pulling this method out to examine it because it's not something I do just for relief carving. In fact it's one of the most important techniques you can grasp.
We are dealing with a flat surface, but what if the surface was round, like the back of a whale? Or hollow, like a bowl? Working in the same way is all about what you leave - and that really matters!
| 21 August 2016 12:13
Alejandro - There really isn't a rule as such as some carvings look best on a thick background, others thin. It's up to you as the designer/carver. However, generally, leaving a quarter to a third of the overall wood thickness in the background seems to work for most reliefs. Hope this helps!
| 15 August 2016 16:24
Hello! Quick question, to which I believe the answer will be, "It depends."
I am going through your book Woodcarving: Course & Reference Manual, and I am considering the first two Koi projects. I wonder what a good minimum thickness might be to leave for the backgrounds.
Again, I'm sure it depends on the project and the types of wood being used, but is there a rule of thumb?
Thank you!
