relief carving videos

[B. Lake]

Hello,
I was wondering if there are any good "free" beginner or intermediate relief carving "how to" videos concerning relief carving start to finish that you would recommend.

B. Lake

[RUssL.]

Chris Pye's video subscription online:
Woodcarving Workshops

[edge]

This is not a video but an excellent thread with a couple of hundred photos and explanations from the author.
Relief carving

[Bill Whig]

Originally Posted by RUssL.

Chris Pye's video subscription online:
Woodcarving Workshops

From my brief research, Chris Pye has written at least 10 books on carving but none on "art". Is there just not a big enough market for that? Historically, carvers were not necessarily artists, but these days I think carving makes the most sense for those who are. Me, I'm just a student of the art; I haven't carved a dern thing yet. But I enjoy thinking about it as I am accumulating my gouges and sharpening paraphenalia. : ) For me, carving doesn't make any sense unless you start with, or are striving towards, art. The design stage, in particular, seems to be of critical importance.

I'm just a newby--please scuse my comments if you don't care for them.

Bill

[Bill Whig]

It occurred to me that perhaps the distinction I was making above is between "Arts & Crafts" and "Art". I enjoy being challenged by an author as is typical in, say, a higher-level textbook. I suppose we might say that "art comes from within", which at some level is certainly true, but I know for certain that we can do Much Better than that! Heck, I could do better than than and I'm more the "analytical type". : )

Bill

[p3aul]

Well I'm a beginner and I have carved a lot, not very good stuff. Some day i will get the hang of it. I like carving relief best and I think i have learned the secret of carving horse heads in relief. It just takes a "different way of seeing what must be higher and what must be lower.

I am no artist although my brother and sister are. I just inherited the desire! What I do is take a photo of the subject, change it to black and white for printing on plain paper. I then trace the important highs and lows and I have my pattern. It doesn't take an artist to be a woodcarver but some on this board are very fine artists in addition to being woodcarvers.

[Bill Whig]

Originally Posted by p3aul

Well I'm a beginner and I have carved a lot, not very good stuff. Some day i will get the hang of it. I like carving relief best and I think i have learned the secret of carving horse heads in relief. It just takes a "different way of seeing what must be higher and what must be lower.

I am no artist although my brother and sister are. I just inherited the desire! What I do is take a photo of the subject, change it to black and white for printing on plain paper. I then trace the important highs and lows and I have my pattern. It doesn't take an artist to be a woodcarver but some on this board are very fine artists in addition to being woodcarvers.

That sounds like a fine technique! A twist on it that I read of, perhaps in one of Pye's books, was to trace onto a transparency instead of paper, and then use a ball point pen to create an impression through it onto the wood. It facilitates being able to redraw several times, and even being able to create a reverse impression (e.g. for "book ends"), if necessary.

Bill

[aulddiy]

Me, I'm just a student of the art; For me, carving doesn't make any sense unless you start with, or are striving towards, art. The design stage, in particular, seems to be of critical importance.

I'm just a newby--please scuse my comments if you don't care for them.

Bill[/QUOTE]

Bill, people carving for a many reasons. I started carving when ill health stopped my out door pursuits. Really I carved for "something to do". Now, well I just enjoy carving, mostly caricatures , mainly for kids. Art ,whatever that may be is not a priority for me, its a fun hobby. I spoil a lot of wood but in return kids, and some adults enjoy my carvings.
rgds
John

[Bill Whig]

Originally Posted by aulddiy

Bill, people carving for a many reasons. I started carving when ill health stopped my out door pursuits. Really I carved for "something to do". Now, well I just enjoy carving, mostly caricatures , mainly for kids. Art ,whatever that may be is not a priority for me, its a fun hobby. I spoil a lot of wood but in return kids, and some adults enjoy my carvings.
rgds
John

Hi John,

It's nice of you to share. It's interesting to me to hear about what motivates others, but I am sorry to learn that ill-health played a roll in your getting here. Earlier today I looked at some of the carvings you posted pictures of and I thought they were really good!

I am striving to integrate my interest in woodworking in general with ornamental (relief) carving. I'm not sure yet how it will work out, but I'm having a fun ride (gotta love Acanthus leaves). Yesteryear's author Paul Hasluck probably was the first to instill in me the most appreciation for wood carving specifically. If that weren't enough, Telecarver's video is pretty awesome too!

One decade I'm playing guitar, another I'm studying banjo and banjo building, another I'm learning about woodworking and studing how to carve a scroll/volute on a violin, and a couple years later--plop, here I am. Anyway, that's the short story, and if it weren't for some kind folks I've met on the Internet, I'm sure it would be a lot shorter; and if it weren't for my wife it would be shorter again! I'll stop. Take care and happy carving,

Bill

[BobbyD]

I actually just made a video of me carving a relief wall plaque. It is not a complete how-to, but you should be able to get some good ideas and tips. Here's the link: How to carve a relief style plaque - YouTube