Cloud Technique

[mwilleson]

Hi all,

I have a relief I am working on that has some clouds in the sky and I'm trying to figure out a technique for carving clouds.

The scene is three empty crosses on the hill at calvary so I was hoping to give them some texture so they look like rolling, semi-agggressive clouds rather than floating pillows.

I'd appreciate any threads, websites, tutorials, or how-to photos you can point me to.

If you prefer you can email me privately:
mwilleson@sio.midco.net

Thanks,
Mike

[Irish]

Mike - do a search for some of the threads started by Ron Davidson. Ron does fantastic clouds in his relief work!!!!

Susan

[tweendykes]

Hi
I have done several relief carvings but have not included clouds because if you try and carve the shapes in the look wooden, pardon the pun.

On my latest of a Grey heron in flight I am trying a different appraoch. As clouds cast light differently eg, highlights and shadows.

Relief carving deppends on highlights and shadows to enhance the effect. I am experimenting with carving with gouges to create the highlights and and shadows to give the impression of clouds. This gives a sense of movement and looseness to the clouds.

I look forward to seeing your final work.

Allan

[rales]

I've always liked Bill Judt's clouds - simple but textured. They are probably a little too stylized for some...

???Landscape Carvings

?? Wildlife Carvings

[brian-bailey]

I played around carving different styles of clouds and finally settled on the pillow like ones to get the effect that I was after.

Clouds are flat against the sky because of distance, I find it hard to capture that realism in a wood carving.

[chuckbolton]

i paint in clouds on relief carvings-- using water colors and wet on wet painting. then u can use what ever shapes u need and make them as angry as u care too using darker colors

[mwilleson]

Thanks for your comments. I too like Bill Judt's clouds. He has one carving in particular of Noah's ark and the clouds in the background are great:

???Landscape Carvings

I really like the aggressive texture, but haven't figured out how to accomplish it. I think a spoon gouge might be necessary to make all the pockets that seem to form the clouds.

Thoughts...?

Mike