[Richard R. Boyd]

My second relief. The may be beyond my skill level. I want to try this one because My wife’s father did this as a relief away back in the fifties. He carved several relief’s all from drawings taken from various publications at the time. He gave them to family members and friends. I’m reasonably sure they still exist but I haven’t a clue where most are. I’m told my step daughter has two of his relief‘s, that I haven’t seen . A situation I intend to correct soon.
http://home.ec.rr.com/spudlix/Delmer.html
I have only started this relief after studying the drawing for several days
I’ve determined it should be done in six levels or graduations. Being an armature at this art I would appreciate any comments or suggestions you may like to make as I carve away.
I started with the sky because I think it the sky will be in the extreme distance. My next level, I believe will be the sound water with the outer banks Isle and light house sandwiched in between as a level of their own.
The netting and floats seem, to me, to be my greatest challenge. Any comments welcome.
I’ll publish update pictures as I progress. Jealous of my time away from carving, as I am, still to keep my world as tranquil as possible some must be spent on other activities. So this may be a bit slow.

[Ashbys]

Richard ,

I think you need a lot more layers. You have the forground the same height at the far horizon. The face will be in front of the hat as the brim of the hat is the same as the brow of the forehead.

If I was doing this carving I would have at least 16 layers. You did not give a layer to the ships wheel which stands in front. You did give one to the hand , but nothing for the body , the face the beard. When I do a relief , I seperate into the different levels by detail.

The hand for me with the pipe would cross at least 3 levels since it is raised out infront of the body I would want that depth showing, yet each finger and the pipe are well detailed so each would be a level in it's own right.

But I would rather layer too much than not enough.

Ash

[Mottles]

Hi Richard, looks like you have a good start...I like hearing you are taking your time. It's good to stop and contemplate every move, sort of that 'measure twice, cut once' theory. I too like to work from the background forward. Generally, your deepest cuts will be in the background.
How thick is your board? It appears you'll have a lot of nooks and crannys to carve. Just take your time and keep us posted on your progress.
Kathy

[Richard R. Boyd]

Thanks Ash And Kathy,
I’m really new at this and this is exactly the kind of advice I sought. And need!

The board is a full 3/4". After resding Ashby's comments I realize I have to go buch deeper in the background and calculate more levels. I migh have taken on a job beyond my present skill level.... But I haven't convinced myself of that yet.

[Ron Davidson]

First let me say it sounds like a great pattern. Ash described it to me and I think the same that he is that you have allot more levels. To me you will not have enough wood at 3/4 to get the depth you need for this. I think you will need to be about at the 2 inch thickness with your deepest area (skyline or horizon) at 1 1/4. I counted at least 18 different levels. I hope this helps some. The piece that I am working on now for instance is about 40 levels at 2 1/2 inches
Ron

[Ashbys]

Richard ,

I think you can do fine with it. Beside if you don't try you don't learn. Nothing risked nothing gained!

Besides , it is only wood .

I took the liberty of showing you how I would break it down. In the pic. It is downsize quite a bit to get the pic on the fourm. But If you want better pics I can send them to you.

Good luck on it should be a great piece and it can eaisly fit on a 3/4 board, just use shallow layers.

Ash