Later this afternoon I'll be the guest speaker for the International Woodcarvers Association meeting. I'll be talking about Scary Sharp Sharpening and Chip Carving.
I'm thankful for this opportunity because it gives me another forum to spread the word about
this craft we all love, chip carving.
My goal is to build interest and demonstrate how easy it is to learn this skill.
I'll start by explaining Scary Sharp Sharpening because having a sharp knife is crucial to ANY style of woodcarving.
After sharpening my plan is to carve a rosette while
explaining the basic techniques about pattern application, holding the knife, 2-sided and 3-corner chips.
My estimate is 90 minutes, but I forever underestimate whatever I'm doing, just ask Shelley!
"Not everyone is into wood stained items these days. I might guess that few people younger than 50 years old are, but that's just a guess."
I'm glad that Scott shared the following with me because it may be
what you felt too.
"I admit to being over 50 but, . . . And I have this problem with other carvings too!
Why spend all
that money on something that looks like plastic? We go to all the time and effort to make the wood suitable for carving - sanding smooth. Applying the carving pattern. Carving being sure to leave sharp edges between the chips so the shadows bring out the beauty of the carving. And then to cover it up so the wood can’t be seen! Some caricature carvings are so heavily painted that the only place that looks like wood is the bottom - and that may be painted too.
I submit that basswood is very plain without much grain or figure so painting it may add interest but there are other woods that we can carve. Butternut, white pine, oak(!), walnut, to mention a few. But even though basswood is plain, it does have a grain that can be brought out on finishing. We are suspect that HGTV is responsible for the “paint it all” trend. It is easier than letting the wood
shine through but looks like the 1950 metal cabinets.
It may be not obvious but I’m not trying to make my living carving. I am carving to please myself with the act of carving and if someone is willing to pay me a couple of bucks an hour to take a carving off my hand I feel pretty good.
Having said that I’m carving for me, I have to
allow others to carve and paint to please themselves but I’m not buying wood that looks like ceramic or plastic. I am not adverse to using color to accentuate our carvings or keeping Santa red but I try very hard to keep the wood grain showing through.
Sorry to get up on my soap box and thank you for reading this far.
I do enjoy your
emails and hope you keep them coming.
Scott"
My reply,
Hi Scott and good to hear from you!
I know exactly what you mean. Adding color is just an option for you and others to consider.
The majority of carvings I've done over the years
are either clear finished or gel stain after carving.
Adding color can be used for some of us who want to let out some of our pent up creativity :-)
Color is an option and definitely not a requirement :-)
I'm glad you contacted me and shared your
thoughts. Others may have the same so I'll be sure to address this.
Keep on enjoying your chip carving!
I'll be here to help
Happy New Year.
Colorful Chip Carving by Fran!
Marty, I am looking forward to your tutorial on adding color to carvings.
I love to add color to certain chip carvings. I did these
from the coaster kit you sent out with your great instructions those coaster patterns. I coated several with an epoxy resin. Fran Sincere
Well done, Fran! I like how you stepped out of the box and added color in various ways to your carvings.
Almost all of the rosettes shown, that Fran carved, are found in the Rosette Carving Course!Order the basswood blanks for this Course with the Rosette patterns already applied - CLICK
HERE!
