[Paul_Guraedy]

I got into relief carving by chance. The instructor I wanted at the Woodcarver's Rendezvous was full. I knew of John Engler's reputation as a painter so decided to sign up with him. I got two things from this session. First, I found that I enjoy relief carving and, second, that I love the way watercolor works on my carvings.

The relief carvings I have been doing are on 1" boards. I carve the deepest part to 1/2". Is this deep are shallow relief and where is the dividing line?

[AlArchie]

I could be wrong on this one, Paul, but it's my understanding that deep or high relief is defined by at least part of the carving standing proud of the background. Now, how much depth is required to achieve this is another question.

Al

[Irish]

Hi Paul and Al,

Low relief and high relief carvings are not distinquished by for far away from the background the work stands. These have little or nothing to do with depth. The definition between these two styles of carving have to do with the shadows or lack there of cast by the main carved elements.

Now, theres a mouth full.

Low relief carvings have straight or slightly outward arched side walls. The joint between the element and the background is clearly visible. The elements of a low relief do not cast shadows onto the surrounding background areas.

High relief uses undercuts along some or all of the joints between the element and the background. Here you carve just a thin sliver of wood out at the joint area causing the element to cast a shadow onto the background. Therefore you can not see the actual joint area. This undercut separates the element from the background giving the impression that the element lies above the background.

So a high relief carving can be done at less than a 1/4" of depth and a low relief can be carved down 3" or 4" into the wood. Think shadows not depth when talking about high and low relief.

Susan Irish

[AlArchie]

Susan, I think you and I have the same description in mind, but define it differently. By "standing proud" of the background, I mean that there is an undercut of some sort on the defining lines. You simplified that (or clarified it) by describing the defining line as one that casts a shadow. I like your description better!

Al

[Paul_Guraedy]

Thanks for the responses. I started carving relief only a few years ago. Took it up, not because of interest in this type carving, but, because I wanted to improve my painting. The instructor, John Engler, is an excellent artist. Found out that I enjoy relief carving (first love is still birds in the round) and really like the effect of water color painting.

I have been asked whether I carve deep or shallow relief. My response has had to be, "well, I don't carve too deep." Now, I know that I put a lot of deep relief into my carvings simply because I don't like to see the joint line.