I received the following comment in response to my comment on the judges' emphasis on technical, error-free carving in last week's newsletter:
The idea of error free carving is interesting and might involve clean cuts, smooth lines, and an emphasis on ensuring design elements flow. The above is my continued
focus as much as possible and then to master hiding any “errors”.
The response was spot-on regarding what I was referring to as error-free carving, so I thought it might be helpful to explain in more detail along with some examples. The purpose of doing so isn't to imply that these are required to achieve a good carving, but these are characteristics you could focus on in your next carving if you're looking for a new challenge.
I'll start with the
one that all chip carvers are likely familiar with, and that's clean cuts. The goal of clean cuts is to minimize any knife marks, chatter on curved cuts, and avoid any chip-out (of course!). I'd say clean cuts are always a goal when chip carving, but when it doesn't happen it adds character to the carving and shows it's been hand-carved.
Whenever a carving contains line elements I would expect an error-free carving to have crisp, straight edges without any wobble. The picture
below shows an example of straight edge lines on the left and a line with a little wobble on the outside edge on the right. The wobble happened at the point of the curve where it's directly in line with the grain, which is always a challenge.
The final characteristic of error-free carving is ensuring design elements flow. I focused on a couple of different elements in this particular carving which are highlighted in red below. At the intersection of two curved lines my goal was to have the points line up vertically and horizontally. On the fans my goal was to have the points of each segment end at the same height along the arch.
Normally these are things I notice after finishing a carving (if I notice them at all!). It's not to critique the carving, but a way for me to observe and enjoy elements in the pattern I may not have noticed while carving. I'm always surprised at what I missed while carving, but will be on the lookout for those characteristics in the next one!
What details do you like to focus on in your carvings?
8 inch Flat Plate with 8 Point Rosette and Leaf Pattern
This is the same pattern I carved on my Vesterheim candle plate with the addition of the 8 Point Rosette. It's a challenging pattern, but one of my favorites! I hope you'll enjoy it too!
It’s interesting that you shared about Norwegian chip carving. Just yesterday I visited the Norsk Museum in Norway, Illinois. I took this picture of a beautiful chair crest. It is one piece of a whole dining room set that was made in Norway and shipped to America in 1833.
I thought
you’d like to see it to inspire your readers. I did not know you are Norwegian. Check out the website www.NorskMuseum.org
Arnie
Thanks for your email and the wonderful picture! I'm very familiar with Norway, IL, but don't think I've been to the museum before. I'll need to stop by the museum whenever I get back that way.
Thanks again for taking the picture and passing it along to share with everyone - I appreciate it!
