Thanks for the tip. I do find myself cringing when pushing into the raised section. The other thing I noticed today is anytime I start to get frustrated, it is a good sign that I probably should re-sharpen.
Mary May:
It looks like your dimensions may require a change. If the width is 61/2 " the height looks as though it should be about 12"-13", no? Also, I have a nice set of tools but a limited number. I don't even have #3's, but I can probably make do with my #4 and #5.
It's a beautiful project.
Hi Jon,
Thanks for noticing the wrong dimensions! That is now changed.
With the #4 and #5 gouge, it will be difficult to get a smooth background surface, but just make it a feature in the carving - like waves.
Hi Mary,
I seem to be having a little trouble getting the inside corner between the lowered down background and the raised part from getting rough and ragged, especially when the lower down surface cut is with the grain (I'm getting some tearout). I suppose it is just a matter of practice, but if there are any tips about getting the intersection of the two cuts to meet in other videos please point me to them. I am working through the beginning lessons in order (donut, simple flower, now camellia).
Hello Jim,
The trick for making these clean cuts is to make each of these cuts - both vertical and horizontal - very solid, definite cuts. One thing that quite often happens when first learning to carve is a hesitation to make strong, defined cuts. Sometimes it helps to make the vertical cuts slightly deeper than you need to go to make sure this is fully cut to the depth that is needed.
The one big difference I see in this carving school is that almost nothing is left to the imagination. Every tool cut is there, any "oops" moments are there, the problem areas in the grain are there as they present themselves - so as I watch, it is almost as if my own hands are carving. Because of this, I think when I try to do this myself, it will be almost as if I have done this before, and so I am not intimidated by the project. I don't think I've ever seen a "beginning to end" video just like these done by Mary; most others skip over what they think are repetitive areas, and as a result, I don't get the same sense that my muscles are "learning" too; rather, that I am simply watching another person visually. I don't know if it actually works this way but I feel much more confident after seeing these videos that I can do it. Please err on the side of keeping too much rather than editing out; I think this way of teaching is excellent!
You can use coping saws and get quite an accurate line. It just takes a little longer. If you aren't able to cut out shapes, you'll just have to do a lot of lowering the back-ground. Just an extra step, but it will work. There are several lessons that show how to lower the entire background flat - the Grape and Leaf design and the Wheat and Ribbon are a few.
From Jim Scheltens on Carving a Camellia Flower - Beginner Lesson #8 - Episode 1
Go to comment2015/05/29 at 4:52 pm
From Jon Millenson on Carving a Rice Sheaf
Go to comment2015/05/28 at 11:22 am
From Mary May on Carving a Rice Sheaf
Go to comment2015/05/28 at 2:01 pm
From Jim Scheltens on Carving a Camellia Flower - Beginner Lesson #8 - Episode 1
Go to comment2015/05/27 at 10:50 pm
From Mary May on Carving a Camellia Flower - Beginner Lesson #8 - Episode 1
Go to comment2015/05/28 at 1:52 pm
From joycehanna on Carving a Queen Anne Fan - Episode 2
Go to comment2015/05/23 at 9:13 am
From Mary May on Carving a Queen Anne Fan - Episode 2
Go to comment2015/05/25 at 8:59 am
From Ann F Margolies on Carving a Cross with Trefoil Ends
Go to comment2015/05/23 at 6:53 am
From Mary May on Carving a Cross with Trefoil Ends
Go to comment2015/05/23 at 9:09 am