1 Introduction

A 'cameo' is usually thought of as a piece of jewellery, typically oval in shape, with a portrait in profile carved in low relief on a background of a different colour. The idea is to neatly encapsulates someone, or in this case somedog... 

Well, you can't wear this project (but some one of you will prove me wrong by carving a tiny portrait in boxwood!) and it isn't on a different coloured wood.

But it is a profile in low relief and does try to capture my friend's dog, 'Bones'. And you could cut the profile out, trim accurately to the line and then 'paper sandwich' the project to waste wood for carving. When you've finished, mount the carving on a different coloured of wood and the result will have much more of what we think of as a typical cameo look.

It's a great project for understanding the basic process and practising techniques and grips.The modelling was the trickiest part - but don't let that put you off having a go!

Download: There is no download for this project. Your dog/cat/horse/gerbil will be different to mine! I trust you see what sort of photo you need and why and, from there, find the step-by-step carving straight forward.

Here are a few lessons to fill out what I am doing:

• Step by Step Low Relief - don't forget the Beginner's lessons
• 'Paper Sandwich' - also put in Search Box, top left

Wood: I'm using simple, light-coloured Limewood (Basswood is similar) to show lights and shadows more. Dark woods tend to mask the differences. My piece was 14" (350mm) wide, grain horizontal - your height to suit - and I carved to a depth of 1/2" (14mm).

Tools: I use (and name in the video) very basic tools for this carving, ones that I use all the time on Woodcarving Workshops and recommend for beginners.