1st relief carving-need help

Micky · #1 09-01-2006, 10:35 AM

I forgot to bring the pattern to scan, but basically this is a pod of jumping dolphins that I am carving into the side of a candle holder. It started out okay, but now I have two problems: 1. A split is forming at the top right side, and I don't know if I should just make that dolphin smaller or somehow patch it, and 2. I can't figure out how to finish the project--clean it up and get some of the tighter areas rounded. Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
thanks--micky
The 1st picture is from last week. The other 2 are from this morning.

Micky · #2 09-01-2006, 05:00 PM

A closer picture of cracked area. Candle holder is Aspen.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #3 09-01-2006, 05:12 PM

Are you sure thats a crack and not just wood discoloration? have had some basswood look like that but it was just color? if it is a crack, maybe a small amount of elmers carpenters glue and clamp it?

Micky · #4 09-01-2006, 05:29 PM

Deffinately a crack. It goes through to the candle hole.

Lynn O. Doughty · #5 09-01-2006, 06:53 PM

Glue it together with some Titebond waterproof carpenters glue. Force the glue in as far as you can by using your finger to force it in. You'll be carving off the surface so the glue won't show if you clamp it good and tight. If it comes back open you havent lost anything.

You could also try and use some wood epoxy like Tuf-Fil but I'd try the glue first.

Irish · #6 09-01-2006, 07:13 PM

Lynn's suggestion is excellent. You can go to your local pet store or vet and obtain small syringes that are used to give cat's medicines. Those syringes don't have needles but the opening is very tight so they can force the glue deeper into a crack.

Susan

squbrigg · #7 09-01-2006, 07:44 PM

Sounds like good advice on the first problem, that should solve it. The second question.....how to finish the piece. First....relax.....it is wood, there is plenty of it and you will make mistakes....it's the only real way to learn.

You have a good start, basic outline of the dolphins, you just need to take more background material out and undercut the dolphins some. Once they stand out from the background more, smooth them more to make them differ from the background too. You could sand them if you like or just smooth them with a gouge.

With a relief carving, it's all about creating the illusion of depth by using light depth and shadows. Move your work light around as you work some to see how you are progressing. Light from the side will show up the shadows more than from above.

Hope this helps a bit.

Bob

Micky · #8 09-04-2006, 09:24 AM

I will give the Titebond a try. I was worried about which kind of adhesive to use since it will be a candle holder.

Bob-on the undercutting--how do you undercut in the smaller, tight areas? Still use a small V-tool? Or carve out little bits with a knife?

Thank you all for your help.
micky

Ashbys · #9 09-04-2006, 10:27 AM

Micky
Your doing a lot of fine detail. A Vtool will give you two problems. the first is it is designed to cut on two sides. One side will cut clean the other will be a cut againt the grain leaving a rough surface.

use your detail knife,

A 60 degree cut down and a slicing flat cut to releive the wood from the cut . If one cut doesn't give you the effect make another going deeper but start small until you reach the desired effect.

Garry

squbrigg · #10 09-04-2006, 10:52 AM

I'd use a fine knife, sharpest you have and just shave undercuts, little at a time until you get the depth and shadow you want. Another good tool for this is a fish tail gouge, about a #3 or #5, but as you're just getting started and probably don't have a lot of tools, a good thin bladed detail knife will work.

Bob