I am still working through all the components of the carving details for the top of a Philadelphia Highboy. So far I have carved the acanthus details and the rosette. I am just about finished with the center shell, and next week I hope to work on the cartouche.
So far, I have the acanthus leaf video lesson on my online school, and this week I just added the complete lesson for the rosette.
Since I am definitely NOT a wood turner, I did not shape this on a lathe first. I attempted, but failed miserably. I resorted to using my trusty woodcarving gouges to get the general shape of the rosette before carving the details. It would have saved about 20 minutes (which I have included in the video lesson for those who don’t wish to tempt fate on the lathe) and one day I WILL learn the lathe – in my spare time…
One of my students on my online school, David Piazzo, recently worked through this lesson and decided to turn the shape on a lathe first. He was much more successful than I was and here is a link to his blog about how he successfully achieved a lovely turned piece – and a beautiful finished carving also!
I am teaching a carving class at The Woodworkers Club in Rockville, MD at the moment. Having a great time! Better get some sleep or I won’t be able to be one step ahead of the students!