Some may accuse me of being a woodcarving purist in many ways. However, I am also practical in that when I have to get a job done, I take advantage of the modern technologies available to make my life a little easier. Let’s say, for example, that I have finished carving a complicated acanthus leaf design and I want to make an exact duplicate – only in reverse.
Here’s how –
Step 1: Take a photo of your carving
Step 2: Put your photo file into your computer photo editor
Step 3: Make a reverse or mirror image
Step 4: Print out the reversed photo image –
Step 5: Take this to your shop so you can view in the correct position. This way you don’t have to turn your brain inside and try to figure out the details in reverse. Trust me, it’s NOT easy.
One way to transfer your design in reverse is to make a plastic or cardboard template of half the design and turn it over to produce the other half. This works for repetitive and symmetrical designs that are used more for tracing around the outside edges of designs.
You can also use a thin type of paper (tracing paper or velum) with a design drawn on it. Turn the paper over and you should be able to see the design through the paper in reverse. You can then trace it onto your wood with carbon paper or transfer paper.
Can’t think of anything else at the moment. Just trying to help so you don’t hurt your brain!
Here is a link to a video I made on techniques I use to transfer designs to wood. http://youtu.be/dQxsz8Nrpsw
If you have any other ideas of working with reverse images, please share!
You could try transferring the image on to the wood from a photo copy or laser printed copy using acetone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj3X0vLWtEY
or heat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-ts=1422579428&x-yt-cl=85114404&v=8GClaRYJi5w
I have used the acetone method to transfer Welsh love spoon patterns to wood before I cut them out on the jigsaw. My wife does the carving.
This has worked better than gluing the pattern on with spray adhesive, no residue. I think I’ll try the heat method for the next batch to see how it compares.
Hi Ron,
Thanks! I also have a youtube video on some of the techniques I use for transferring designs to wood.
http://youtu.be/dQxsz8Nrpsw
I don’t like to glue the pattern onto wood because I want to actually see the wood grain. I try to get the paper off quickly so I can get to the actual wood.
Pattern transfer is an old problem in various craft.
Look at “picking machine” on the blog of Patrick Edwards (wpatrickedwards.blogspot.be)
Tracing wheels are also used in sewing pattern transfer.
Sylvain
Thanks Sylvain. That is a great process for larger projects. If you have more small details that need to be transferred the other methods seem to work better.