How to Carve a Plaque

Plaque carving offers limitless possibilities.

A plaque can be a sign to welcome visitors, commemorate an event or decorate a room. The image can be carved below the surface of the wood, raised above the surface or a combination of both. A plaque with little detail can be completed with only two carving tools. For your first plaque carving, start with a basic design and progress to something more complex once you feel comfortable with the basic cuts.

Things You'll Need

• Wood
• Pencil
• Tape
• Graphite tracing paper
• Ball stylus
• Band saw (optional)
• Clamps or rubber mat
• No. 6 v-gouge
• U-gouge
• Skew chisel or carving knife
• Sandpaper (optional)

Instructions

1. Choose a shape and size of your plaque. It can be square, rectangular, oblong or any other shape you like, or it can take the shape of the subject of your plaque, such as a cow or flower.

2. Select the wood for your carving. Basswood is the wood most commonly used for carving and is the best choice for a beginner, although other types of would could also be used. The wood should be at least 3/4-inch thick and up to approximately 2 inches thick.

3. Draw or transfer your pattern onto the wood with a pencil or graphite paper and a ball stylus. If using a pattern, tape the top of the pattern to the wood to hold it in place.

4. Cut out the pattern on the wood with a band saw if you want your plaque to be in the shape of your pattern.

5. Clamp the wood to a sturdy work bench or table so it won’t move as you carve. A rubberized mat under the wood may also hold it in place.

6. Carve along the pattern lines with a no. 6 v-gouge (also referred to as a v-tool) if planning a line carving. If you also want to round and shape the subject of your plaque, carve along the outside of the pattern lines instead of on them. The size of the tool will depend on the size of your project. The sides of the cutting edge should never go below the surface of your carving. If the tool is too small for the cuts, the wood will tear.

7. Round the edges of your plaque’s subject with a shallow gouge, such as a no. 5 or 7, if you prefer more than a line carving. Use a no. 3 or 5 u-gouge to first carve down the background if you prefer that the subject stand out from the wood and then round the edges down to the background. If you cut out the pattern, round the top edge of the wood down to the bottom edge.

8. Use a skew chisel or a carving knife in areas that were difficult to reach with the gouges. Add any details with gouges or a carving knife.

9. Sand your carving if you prefer a smooth surface. Start out with course sandpaper, such as 150 grit, if necessary and progress to finer sandpaper until you’re satisfied with the look and feel of the wood. Brush off the carving in between each sanding.

10. Apply a finish to your plaque to protect it and to bring out the beauty of the wood. There are many types of finishes that could be used, including wax, polyurethane and boiled linseed oil.

Tips & Warnings

• Make some of the lines carved with a v-gouge deeper and thicker than others for contrast.

• Strop carving tools often to maintain a sharp edge.

References

• Relief Woodcarving and Lettering; Ian Norbury
• Carverscompanion.com: Carving the Cow Plaque