Wood carving
and engraving are popular hobbies.
Wood carving encompasses everything from simple whittling to the creation of elaborate sculptures. Engraving is a linear form of decorative carving usually used to decorate flat wooden surfaces. Fine line engraving on wood produces woodblock and woodcut prints. Decorative and fine art wood carving was popularized by the Christian wood carvers of the Medieval Age. Fine artists used the craft extensively during the Renaissance. Many aboriginal and ethnic cultures have developed wood carving into a high art. With practice and a proper set of tools, anyone can learn to carve and engrave wood.
Instructions
1. Collect a set of wood carving tools for the type of work you intend to do. Assemble a set of small pen knives for simple whittling. Use regular pocket knives or buy specialized whittling knives called bench knives or Sloyd knives. Carve fine details with an assortment of small carving tools including stab knives, dog leg chisels and bent chisels. Remove large areas of background wood with larger size straight blade chisels and gouges. Use U-shaped gouges to make curving lines. Engrave decorative lines in wood with V-shaped gouges and V point chisels.
2. Select a piece of wood suitable for carving. Use pine or basswood for most beginning projects. Move on to more expensive hardwoods after you've gained some experience. Inspect the wood to make sure it's free of defects such as cracks or knots. Start with a block of wood for an in-the-round sculptural carving or a flat panel for a pictorial relief carving. Engrave decorative lines into any wooden surface including furniture, chests and boxes with a rotary tool or hand tools.
3. Draw your design directly onto the wood or transfer it using carbon paper. Follow the lines to rough out the basic shapes of your carving. Block in the forms with your larger carving knives and chisels. Cut in long downward strokes following the grain of the wood. Carve medium length strokes diagonally across the grain. Use short strokes while carving against the grain to prevent tearing the wood.
4. Secure your larger carvings in a vise for stability. Hold smaller pieces of wood in your hand for carving. Keep the hand holding the wood behind and out of the blade's way. Place the thumb of this hand on the back of the blade to steady and control its cutting strokes. Keep the knife stationary and rotate the wood around to cut it. Apply constant pressure to the knife blade to keep it on the wood's surface and prevent it from flying off the wood. Sharpen your tools often for the best results.
5. Gouge and cut out the background wood to define the structure of your forms. Use your U-shaped gouges to establish your overall shapes and planes. Grip the gouge handle firmly and push it with one hand while using the other hand to steady the blade. Finish up the detail work with your smallest gouges and knives. Leave the gouge marks for texture and visual interest, or sand your work smooth if you prefer.
