In the era of network technology and mass production of molded products, it is worth using our own hands to create exemplary work from natural materials, and as a medium for personal expression. Molding wood with hand tools, hitting large pieces with a hammer and planing with a chisel, and cautiously rounding the model using a chisel and working with hand-polished lacquer are all exceptional.
Basic Wood Carving Tutorial
You can enjoy wood carving at all levels, from wooden sticks or pine boards obtained with knives to fully carved shops with many chisels and power tools. You can get a quick intro to wood carving from the Sculpture Studio. They outline the engraving process and include common wood types, tools, some engraving instructions, and finishing techniques. Although the online tutorials are not exhaustive, the site aims to give plenty of information and support so that novices can use their passion to start carving their first creations.
Wood Types for Carving
Deciding on the right wood for your carving project is determined by various factors. You will have to determine if the wood is soft so that it is easily cut using a carving knife (or does it require a chisel and a hammer instead)? Does this piece have an all-natural finish that reveals the color and texture of wood?
Some sculptors will choose wooden sticks or logs with interesting shapes. Freshly cut logs are still full of moisture which may cause problems. Conversely, if the log dries off too soon, it may easily break or crack badly. It is advisable to air dry the log for some time until it finally gets to an acceptable moisture level to avoid unwanted breaking.
Another option is to buy kiln-dried wood cut into boards. If a large piece is required, the wood can be milled with a planer and combiner to obtain a flat surface that can be glued together. The advantage of bonding is that, unlike the limited log shape, it can form a large and unique shape.
ass wood is an excellent choice for carving small portable crafts (such as duck or water bird bait, figures, or chips). It is soft and easy to sculpt. It sculpts small pieces into grains with few knots or blemishes and is stable when dry. However, basswood is soft and highly absorbent, so it is difficult to apply stains evenly to the carved surface or make it have a smooth surface effect. Most bass woodworks are painted.
For sculptures with natural wood finishes, walnut, mahogany, cherry or walnut can provide rich colors and attractive texture patterns. Walnuts are very soft and easiest to sculpt with hand tools. Walnuts, mahogany, and cherries are rich in color and difficult to carve, but they are well-made and worth the effort. This solid forest needs planing and hammering.
Essential Wood carving tools
Wood carving can be as simple or complex as you need for your project and can depend on the sculptor’s wishes. You can do a small amount of work on a small piece of base wood with just a chip carving knife. Adding chisels increases the chances of sculpting.
Power tools intended for carving like the flexible-shaft can certainly help quicken the carving method and create results that you can not obtain with hand tools only. Huge power tools, like a band saw, ridgid orbital sander, belt sander, the drill press, and the chain saw, all of these will fill a woodcarver’s workshop.
