WOOD CARVINGGRADE 5- ART

Why Wood carving? One of the means to create tactile

texture It is a process where patterns are cut out

of wood using different tools

Basic Woodcarving Toolset the carving knife: a specialized knife used to pare, cut,

and smooth wood. the gouge: a tool with a curved cutting edge used in a

variety of forms and sizes for carving hollows, rounds and sweeping curves.

the coping saw, a small saw that is used to cut off chunks of wood at once.

the chisel, large and small, whose straight cutting edge is used for lines and cleaning up flat surfaces.

the V-tool used for parting, and in certain classes of flat work for emphasizing lines.

the veiner: a specialized deep gouge with a U shaped cutting edge.

sharpening equipment, such as various stones and a strop, necessary for maintaining edges.

Woodcarving Tools                                                                                                                 

    A selection of woodcarving hand tools: 3 fishtail gouges, a v-parting tool, 4 straight gouges, 3 spoon gouges, and a carvers mallet

Woodcarving Tools

Tools and the marks they make

How to get started? Select wood that is appropriate size and

shape For bigger art pieces more than one piece of

wood can be used Softer wood is easier to carve, but will also

damage easier Once the sculptor has selected their wood,

he or she begins a general shaping process using gouges of various sizes.

The gouge is a curved blade that can remove large portions of wood smoothly.

Carving Process For harder woods, the sculptor may use a chisel

and mallet, similar to a stone carver. Smaller sculptures may require the wood carver to use a knife, and larger pieces might require the use of a saw.

No matter what wood is selected or tool used, the wood sculptor must always carve either across or with the grain of the wood, never against the grain.

Once the general shape is made, the carver may use a variety of chisels for creating details. For example, a “veiner” or 'fluter' can be used to make deep gouges into the surface, or a “v-tool” for making fine lines or decorative cuts.

Carving Process Once the finer details have been added,

the wood carver finishes the surface. The method chosen depends on the required quality of surface finish.

The texture left by shallow gouges gives 'life' to the carving's surface and many carvers prefere this 'tooled' finish.

If a completely smooth surface is required general smoothing can be done with tools such as “rasps,” which are flat-bladed tools with a surface of pointed teeth.

Carving Process “Rifflers” are similar to rasps, but smaller,

usually double ended, and of various shapes for working in folds or crevasses.

The finer polishing is done with abrasive paper. Large grained paper with a rougher surface is used first, with the sculptor then using finer grained paper that can make the surface of the sculpture slick to the touch.

Carving Process After the carving and finishing is completed, the

artist may seal & color the wood with a variety of natural oils, such as walnut or linseed oil which protects the wood from dirt and moisture.

Oil also imparts a sheen to the wood which, by reflecting light, helps the observer 'read' the form.

Carvers seldom use gloss varnish as it creates too shiny a surface, which reflects so much light it can confuse the form; carvers refer to this as 'the toffee apple effect'. Objects made of wood are frequently finished with a layer of wax, which protects the wood and gives a soft lustrous sheen. A wax finish is comparatively fragile though and only suitable for indoor carvings.

Examples of wood carvings

Patterns created through carving

Videos and games http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=c7Zrz0r2Nz4&feature=related http://www.y8-games.net/games/

Wood_Carving_Mickey

Now what will you do? Design and carve a monogram using a

variety of tools to create interesting textures (visual and tactile).

What is a monogram? A monogram is a motif made by overlapping

or combining two or more letters or other graphemes to form one symbol. Monograms are often made by combining the initials of an individual or a company, used as recognizable symbols or logos.

Examples of monograms

Examples of monograms

Examples of monograms

Examples of monograms

Monogram in wood using inlaying

Design Phase-Hints and tips Start by playing around with your initials to

see what fun designs you can come up with. Make sure that one can still see your initials

in your anagram. Ask the teacher for help and guidance. Work neat. A mark will be rewarded for

neatness. Once your design is completed you can

move onto the making phase.

The making phase- How to guide Bring a variety of materials to class that

can be used as tools to add in texture. Things like the back of a nail, your compass etc. (Ask your Dad he will have great ideas!)

Draw your monogram design onto the piece of wood.

Start carving and pressing in the texture using the different tools.

Once all the texture has been carved in call the teacher.

The making phase- Finishing touches Decide on how you want to finish you

monogram. Varnish Black paint so that the carved bits stand

out Colour on the lettering Let you imagination guide you!