Wood carving to improve perceptual ability

[Alpha13]

Hello,

I was wondering if wood carving is a good hobby to improve my perceptual ability? I am a pre-dental student and someone suggested that wood carving would help me in that area.

Thanks

[AlArchie]

Perceptual Ability???? I don't know about that, but it can help you see things better! Seriously, if you spend some time at it, carving can improve your ability to visualize three dimensional concepts, becuse that will be what you are working with and constantly striving to improve. Let's include pyrography and painting and finishing. With these you will be working with light sources, shadows, shading, color concepts and perspective. Learning is the key, here, as there are many concepts that go into good carving techniques. You'll also either learn patience and develop a sense of humor, or quit carving, because carving demands both.

Hey, maybe you can eventually get us the definitive answer....."Did George Washington REALLY have wooden dentures?"

Al

[Bob_in_TN]

I was in a carving class with a dentist and was impressed with his carving abilities, asked how long he had been carving, and it was one of his first classes. So, in answer to your question, if being a dentist helps you become a better carver, it would only make sense that being a carver would make you a better dentist. Good luck in your studies and also your carving studies if you decide to start carving. That same class also had a DVM and a MD. Maybe the medical community finds carving a good way to relax, works for me!

Bob

[rick-in-seattle]

Originally Posted by AlArchie

Hey, maybe you can eventually get us the definitive answer....."Did George Washington REALLY have wooden dentures?"

Al

Al,
My sources say no, they were not wooden; but it is true he could not tell a lie.

[Blake Lunsford]

My (ex)Father in Law is a dentist and has always been very detailed in everything that he does. He is an excellent woodworker and furniture builder, and we decided to take our very first woodcarving class together a few years back. I think the thing that interested him the most was the detail that goes in to a carving, and he stated that it gave him the ability to relax and focus on the piece he is working on. He said the same concept goes into his dentistry work, but he had less interruptions and a non-moving, non-breathing (spitting, swallowing, talking) piece to work with. He said it was a way for him to sharpen his detail skills, while at the same time gave him an outlet away from his dentistry.

I encourage everyone to take up woodcarving....and like Bob said, it's definitely a good way to relax and be creative!

Vacaricature carver

Carve On!!

[brian-bailey]

I would say that woodcarving would be an excellent hobby for a dentist.

I just had a crown made for tooth #30 and the dentist shaped the temporary crown right in front of me with his fancy dremel tool. It fit perfectly.

[squbrigg]

I would think that a dentist would benefit from wood carving, and I believe his work would too. The concepts are similar, just the scale is "usually" different. I say usually, because some carvings do reach the scale that a dentist works in. Ship modellers often do scroll work or figureheads or stern carvings that are similar in size as a dentist's work and both would benefit from the experience of each other. I use a lot of dental tools in my ship modelling, burrs for small detail work and long tools for the rigging and a few re-shaped tools as detailed carvers. I have a very good relationship with my dentist....he gives me my choice of broken tools and often supplies me with new burrs.

I would think that a dentist would prefer to carve in a more free style and do larger carvings after working to such small and exacting work daily. Just for the change in pace. But they would certainly have the skills to do some wonderful detailed carving!

Good question and I hope you enjoy both carving and your new profession.
Bob

[Canopener]

Alpha,
My late Father was a dentist and if my memory is correct, school required him to sculpt a set of uppers and lowers out of clay or plaster. This would have been back in the early forties coming out of the depression, so technology has changed quite a bit. He did enjoy sketching and said it helped him. He was quite interested in my carving. Give it a shot, and like V.C. mentioned, wood isn't covered in spit.
Have fun,
Jim

[Bob_in_TN]

Canopener just mentioned that wood isn't covered in spit, which triggered my weird sense of humor. In the class with the dentist that I had referenced, we were cutting and blowing chips as it seems 98% of carvers do. The dentist started laughing and I asked what was up. He said he was just thinking of what his patients reaction may be when he drills and blows. I thought it was funny!

[Hugh]

Bob mentioned in his post that dentists would benifit from wood carving, well I used my wood carving tools for dentistry. I got a new set of uppers two yrs ago, the lady dentist fitted me with a great set of bugs bunny teeth. I was all teeth, to make a long story short, I would have to buy another set, so I went to the shop, got out my mini grinder, cut the front teeth down 1/8", reshaped them, polished them with a 600 grit mandrel, and the teeth are just fine. So if any of you want dental work done, I work cheap. A little sawdust won't hurt you.