which view do you rough out first??

Dennis Taylor · #11 09-22-2005, 06:11 PM

I am going to use the same method as I do when I scrollsaw, cut out the face, keep the scrape wood, and then put the blank back into the scrape, I use packaging tape to secure it back in place, some people use hot melt glue, I don't only because I am messy with the gun....after the piece is secure, I turn it on the side and cut out the side profile, there are a few scrollsaw books by Diane Thompson, that demo the procedure well, and it should work for both scrolling and carving(roughing out), if you use the hand tools, you could use a coping saw, and a thin kerf blade, I do some of the scrolling work, with jewerls blades, very thin, and you can you on thick material just cut slow and don't twist the blade, or BING, it will snap!......If I can help let me know...Dennis

captgrant88 · #12 09-23-2005, 09:31 AM

thanks guys i appreciate the responses, now if u could just get my self to thing three-dimensionally while carving i would be well on my way...lol.

AlArchie · #13 09-23-2005, 10:13 AM

In order to think 3D, (I prefer the term "spatially") one of the first thing you have to do is put those two profile views OUT of your mind. Then, maybe even before, picture the piece in your imagination, as you want it to be when finished. You may want to re-introduce some of your construction lines, and in particular, center lines, as you whittle away wood, but keep that finished image in your mind. That should be your guide from here on in.

If you keep those profile views as your main reference, you will always be thinking in terms of six flat planes, front, rear, right, left, top and bottom, not in the rounded or angled, integrated views your project demands. You should be looking at your project, whatever it is, as if it is constantly being rotated, so you visualize the transitions from every perspective. Turn the piece over and over in both your hands and mind, as you carve!

Some folks develop clay models as references before theyput knife to wood.

Or, do what you feel comfortable with.......huh?

Al

captgrant88 · #14 09-23-2005, 11:33 AM

al-all i can say is RIGHT ON. that was the best explination i think i have ever heard and believe me i do my research. very well put. i do agree, but unfortunatly what i want my mind to do and what it soemtimes does is hard, i am having to train my mind to not look at my carving as "wides" but rather 'in the round" i know it will take some time, but much like my other hobbies success is only a few hundred hours of practice away.

kaiserb · #15 09-23-2005, 12:38 PM

Perhaps you should make a project like this:

http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.co...stmasGnome.pdf

To get you mind off of the cutting a pattern then carving it. In this particular project you start out with a 2X2 with minimal cut out.

AlArchie · #16 09-23-2005, 12:56 PM

Brian, that's a great starter project for visualizing a "spatial" project. It's simple enough yet demands some perspective development.

Here's another, even simpler one......the ol' 5 minute owl Iuse to teach Scouts the basics. Gets youinto a 3D mode in a hurry as there are few profile lines to get involved with, and although it still uses flat planes, it can be developed further with very little "whittlin'"

http://www.mindspring.com/~chipps96/club-owl.htm

Al