Making a model

[arfer1943]

Do you make a model before you start on a new carving?

If so, what method do you use?

[Hooked on Carving]

If I make my own design from scratch, I use clay. Other peoples patterns or just whittling wood for the heck of it , no! I use the clay that has to be baked, but never bake it, sold at Michaels and AC Moore. Mold it into its basic shape and use tile markers(+) or wire mesh in areas that need some extra support. Use a hangar or fence wire to mold it, or you could buy the kit of tools. It helps when it comes time to carve, for glue ups and an estimate in how much wood you will need and in determining a weakness in the design.

[mobjack68]

I have carved scale models of pieces from wood, I have also used modeling clay (I prefer to use Plastilina non hardening clay, several hardness grades for degrees of detail) over armatures. I created a scale model of a very weird piece of wood that I had at one time. I kept "seeing" something in the log and wasn't sure exactly how it would finish out....I made a model of the log, carved the piece out of the model and then transferred that to the full sized piece... worked out a little better than I had expected....

[Donsexton]

I never did I drew my own sketches and used them for my carving ideas. That was until I came up with a complicated multi horse sculpture then I made a clay model.