Relief carving leaves in trees

[onegooddriver]

I have looked at some Relief carvers leaves in trees and I was not impressed.
Does anyone know how to carve tree leaves in a Landscape relief carving so they look realistic or they at least, are not distracting to the Landscape Relief carving? Do you know a source that I can learn, or at least look at pictures of how someone else did it?

THANKS SOOOO MUCH !!!

Mike

[Just Carving]

Mark Yundt has basically covered the topic of carving leaves and flowers pretty well. Read through this thread and I think a light bulb might light up.
flowers and leaves

I would also study the acanthus leaves. Search on the acanthus--which is a mainstay in architectural and traditional wood carving. Read through Mark Yundt's posts about his projects and how he takes them from start to finish. Also, read on Irish's posts on relief carving.

As far as learning, there is no better way to learn than to do. I would get a piece of scrap, draw or glue on a line drawing of foilage, look at it, study it--look past the leaves and see the individual shapes that make up the leaves, and then just start carving in the shapes. Just take the plunge and bank on wasting a piece of wood. I'll bet that by the time you're half done, you'll find that you've got a nice carving going, and that you're not going to waste a piece of wood after all!

Bob L

[pallin]

There is a difference between showing leaves on trees in a landscape relief vs. the life-size leaves and flowers in Mark Yundt's desk. It is not possible to carve each leaf on that tree beside the barn in a rural landscape. You can only show the general shape. Here are some examples. The first is a village scene carving from Honduras. The trees are given the shape of palms or guavas, but are stylized. (This is not my carving.) The last photo shows the bushes in my first relief. The leaves are represented by small gouge cuts.

Leaves 010.jpg Leaves 011.jpg Leaves 012.jpg Leaves 013.jpg

[markken5889]

nice work Phil!

Mark

[pallin]

Thanks, Mark, but only the last photo is my own carving.

[pallin]

Here is another example from the Carver Image Galleries: This shows some trees with stylized leaves as well as evergreens in the background.

Quiet wilderness - Wood Carving Illustrated Photo Gallery

[onegooddriver]

I appreciate the pictures and input so far. I would love to see some more pictures if anyone knows of any more. Again, it is not close-up of leaves that I need, but rather leaves in trees as part of a Relief carving landscape. You guys got me started with some ideas already, just wanted to see if anyone knew of some more.

THANKS SO FAR !!!! You guys are great !


Mike

[Woody1961]

That last photo that was presented by Phil "Quiet Wilderness" showed a GREAT (my opinion) way to do the kind of trees you are talking about. Taking some individual branches and adding tufts of leaves then carving into them with a small #11 (U) gouge to represent the leaves seems a good way to tackle the problem.

[Howard Lobb]

Hey Mike
Great question! I would approach it much like Bob L sugested... Carve the form of the tree and the leaves will appear. Each tree has a distinct form or shape that defines the species characteristics. By studying the overall form you will begin to break it down to the elements that make up the form. A pattern of elements (leaves/ foliage) there is a pattern as to how they lay. The line of the trunk and the intersection of the branches, these are all elements that make up the complete form. As the experiment of carving the form from outline to definition you will see how the light hits the carving. As one looks at the gouge tracks you will see how the gouge creates shadows. Long or short wide or narrow,,,, play and play some more. The thing with a relief carving is the effect of light and the subtle shadows define the shape or form. Look at a dime,,,, How little depth gives the illusion of three dimensional appearance of the form... In Canada we have the LOONIE It has the Queen on one side with a bear "behind",,,, They are so subtle the light is manipulated to define the slightest shift of the plane the effect is clear and definite. ,,, Hope this helps H

[carver33]

Here's another example from my gallery:

Girl and Unicorn Relief - Wood Carving Illustrated Photo Gallery