Bad Form

[rick studebaker]

Question? I read somewhere that it's bad form or looked down on to use different types of wood on a carving. Is that true? For example, basswood and dark walnut. Thinking about giving it a try.
rick s.

[GeorgiaCarver]

I have not heard that one.... I think it would be perfectly fine and acceptable to use multiple types of wood, not to mention looking cool Cheers

Greg

[DADDIO]

you know you'll alway's have people that have rigid rules to follow doing anything,those that say that about the wood being different maybe the ones too say oh you can't put that piece of brass or copper on there... or hey you didn't carve this out of one piece!!! or oh what did you use a bent sharpened screw driver to cut out behind there!!!! look in my opinion it's your creation,you do what you want use a dozen different woods,and brass maybe some real leather..the one's that have a problem with it, can go create one of their own anyway they want to and that's their prerogative. to me telling someone how it should be made or done takes the creative element and fun out of it.

[Sharon of the Dell]

I agree with Greg and Daddio. Go with your heart and your gut! i bet you have a real cool idea, but you won't know unless you try.

[Keoma]

You know I was told the same thing in HS by my shop teacher. He said no mixing woods in the carvings and never mix a hard and a soft wood. If I remember correctly my exact words were "what a bunch of s***"
He laughs now, because as my mentor, I show him all my works, all with mixed woods. The results are sometimes spellbinding! I mixed Yew Burl, Manzanita and Maple together and had the most spectacular American flag! It works phenominally! Almost all of my pieces are mixed woods. Do your thing! If it does not work, you will be the first to know, move on try again!
Your imagination is endless and boundless, dont ever let anyone elses restraints or lack of creativity effect you!

[Dan S]

Look at the work of Ian Norbury. I think he must use a half a dozen kinds of wood in any of his carvings. Iv'e seen walnut and holly used and it gives a great effect.

Dan

[Sharon of the Dell]

Originally Posted by Keoma

You know I was told the same thing in HS by my shop teacher. He said no mixing woods in the carvings and never mix a hard and a soft wood. If I remember correctly my exact words were "what a bunch of s***"
He laughs now, because as my mentor, I show him all my works, all with mixed woods. The results are sometimes spellbinding! I mixed Yew Burl, Manzanita and Maple together and had the most spectacular American flag! It works phenominally! Almost all of my pieces are mixed woods. Do your thing! If it does not work, you will be the first to know, move on try again!
Your imagination is endless and boundless, dont ever let anyone elses restraints or lack of creativity effect you!

AMEN!!! I agree with you!

[hruukki]

I thought maybe the idea to use one wood only has to do with shrinking? In a large piece it might be disastrous to have several different hardnesses. Esthetically it's just as useful as painting all pictures in monochrome.

Henri

[susieq]

If you are talking about laminating different types of wood together for a project then make sure they are all kiln dried. Pen turners laminate different woods together before turning, to create all kinds of different patterns in the work. But those are tiny pieces and usually all very hard woods...tropical woods at that.

I never heard any "rules" about combining woods in carvings. That would certainly get in the way of creative expressions. As someone mentioned earlier, check out Ian Norbury's work. I do think he carves first and then inlays a bunch of the exotic additions. Just do it and see what happens. Everything you do will be part of your learning curve anyhow.

I hope you let us see how it turned out.....be sure to post some pictures.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

That theory probably came from the old days of furniture making,, hard to sand a hardwood next to a soft wood etc, plus uneven drying could cause cracking..... imo