[renaye]

I am about to start my first carving from a picture of a rose I found online; anyhow I have drawn out the picture but I am not sure where to begin. Is it on the back part working up or vice versa? Also I am using a dremel to do this on a piece of plywood for practice purposes. Any suggestions would be geatly appreciated.

[Mottles]

Hi renaye, how about taking a little cyber trip to the website of the best relief carver I know Susan Irish. She has a little primer that I think would help you a lot. Working with Levels in Wood Carving
Just scroll down a little ways and you'll see it.
Also, I think you would get a lot of good help by posting your question to the Relief and Chip Carving Forum.
See you there, all most forgot WELCOME........
Kathy

[AlArchie]

Renaye, if I may make a suggestion.......don't use a piece of plywood for a relief carving. Once past that first ply of what looks like a decent piece of wood, you will run into a very hard thin layer of glue, followed by the next ply of wood which will for certain be laid in with the grain going 90 degrees to your first layer. Foillowed by another ply laid in 90 degrees from the second, and so on to the other side. Also, on most standard plwood sheets, the front (and sometimes the back) surfaces are finished fairly nicely, but the interior plies are usually of lesser grade and may contain knots and/or voids.

You would be far better off going to the lumber company and asking for a decent piece of #1 pine, or if they have it, a piece of basswood. A clear piece of 1" (3/4" actual) aspen or what they commonly call "white wood" would also be a far better choice.

You should be able to pick up a 10" or even a 12" wide piece 8 feet long for around 10 to 15 bucks. Some yards may even have "cut-offs", scraps that they have laying around for free. Just ask the guy out in the yard or on the desk.

Al

[mark yundt]

Al has given you some good advice. Follow it and you will be rewarded instead of frustrated.Plywood isn't for carving,,,it's for building.

[chuckt]

Regarding the plywood - absolutely. You'll only experience grief if you use ply and you DON'T want that for your first time.

Let me make another suggestion. Check out Heinecke Wood Products online. They have some of the nicest basswood available, are very reasonably priced, and you can get it delivered right to your door.

You can get 1" x 10" x 12" pieces for $3.60 ea + shipping. This wood will be MUCH easier for you to carve and make your start MUCH more pleasant.

Best wishes to you.
ChuckT

[markken5889]

I just got an email notice saying Basswood is on sale at Woodcraft.com

Mark

[kitaye]

Originally Posted by renaye

I am about to start my first carving from a picture of a rose I found online; anyhow I have drawn out the picture but I am not sure where to begin. Is it on the back part working up or vice versa? Also I am using a dremel to do this on a piece of plywood for practice purposes. Any suggestions would be geatly appreciated.

I just purchased Richard Butz book on carving wood. In there he says to outline your pattern then carve away the background until you have it to the desired level. From there you model the picture.

I do have to second everyone elses suggestion about not using plywood. You can get poplar at a local building supply place, and other woods too, which would be a much better choice than plywood.

[Mottles]

Hi renaye, hope we didn't discourage you to much from wanting to carve your rose relief. Everyone is right about the plywood, I too think it would discourage you which would be a shame.
and let us know how you are doing with your project. We are here to help.
Kathy