Wood Carving Techniques – The Art of Chiseling

Wood carving or sculpting is not just a simple thing to do. It requires special skills.

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Wood carving is a form of working wood by means of a cutting tool in one hand or a chisel by two hands or with one hand on a chisel and one hand on a mallet, resulting in a wooden figure or figurine, or in the sculptural ornamentation of a wooden object. The choice of wood material to be used is also very important. Normally, hard wood is not an option in doing this art piece.

Probably the two most common woods used for carving are Basswood and Tupelo, both are hardwoods that are relatively easy to work with. Chestnut, Butternut, Oak, American walnut, mahogany and teak are also very good woods; while for fine work Italian walnut, sycamore maple, apple, pear, box or plum, are usually chosen.

Basswood is by far the most popular wood used in carving. It is relatively soft. It is easy to work with hand tools. It is white in color with fairly close grain pattern.

Cottonwood is a regional favorite wood for carving. It is softwood with a straight grain.

There are several ways on how to sculpt an image. Many of my carvings show animals within environment, the environment abstracted in the unique nature of wood. Shavings of wood may be removed by pushing the edge of this tool, called a chisel, against the block, at the same time sliding it laterally. You can also apply your carving skills on doors.
As carving itself is an art, those who are into it must be so imaginative and need to have overflowing ideas to create distinctive designs.

The fibrovascular structure of wood brings about certain conditions that must be taken into account by the carver. Wooden Christmas decorations and chess pieces are two other popular ideas for wood carving.

Wood carving is a hobby that inspires each and every person’s individuality and is a wonderful hobby for anyone.