Instructions for Carving a Wood Flower on a Stem
Carving is an enjoyable pastime and can yield some beautiful and intricate objects. The detail of any given piece reflects the artistry and skill of its carver. While carving can appear tedious to some, those who enjoy it never view it as a chore, but as an art to be developed. Flowers are among the most beautiful and multifaceted objects carvers can undertake to create. With patience and a step-by-step process, flower carving can be learned.
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Things You'll Need
- Band saw
- Pad saw
- Coping saw
- No. 9 curved gouge
- No. 3 fishtail gouge
- Hooked skew chisel
- V-tool
- Fine-ground flat chisel
- No. 8 gouge
- Bent chisel
- No. 3 gouge
- No. 5 gouge
- Sandpaper, 120 and 240
- Paint, stain or sealer
Instructions
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Trace the flower and stem onto a piece of carving stock. Use a band saw to cut the traced image out of the stock. Leave plenty of room to the outside of the traced markings.
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Carving is a multi-step process Rough out the image with the number 9 gouge. Remove the excess stock gradually. Remember that carvings are three-dimensional. Leave sufficient material for the rounding of the stem and flower.
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3
Use a number 8 gouge to hollow out the flower. Start to create space between the flower and stem and the remaining excess stock. Work to build separation and depth to the flower, giving it a three-dimensional appearance and lifting it from the stock.
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4
Depth and color give carved flowers their realistic appearance. Work on the flower leaves and petals next. Undercut the excessive stock from the front. Create the sharp edges of the leaves and petals.
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Turn the stock over after you have given definite shape and detail to the flower, leaves, petals and stem. Handle the piece carefully, or you will break off the sharp-edged parts of the flower. Use sharp, smaller tools (2 and 3 millimeter chisels) to cut away the smaller pieces, and, where you can, leave enough thickness to give the carving body strength.
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Keep working the detail into the flower until it is as natural-looking as possible. Continue to work the piece from both sides using your number 3 and fishtail gouges. Try to get the pieces as thin as they normally would appear in nature. Take your time, and be very careful once you have reached this stage.
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Tips & Warnings
Lime wood, pecan, and mesquite are favorite carving woods.
Do not get in a hurry with carving. Remove excess stock in small pieces after you have roughed out the figure.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Ornate Wood Carving Ornament on White Background image by Andy Dean from Fotolia.com carved flowers on wooden bench image by david hughes from Fotolia.com dragonfly and flowers decorative garden stone tile image by palms from Fotolia.com large knife image by Aleksandr Ugorenkov from Fotolia.com
