So you think carving is difficult........

[Mike G]

My daughter carved this in a hour, yesterday and today:



She has never picked up a woodworking tool in her life before. Not one. Ever.



If she can do this, with no experience of wood, edge tools, grain, etc, then any of us can. She really loved doing it too. She used only 3 or 4 gouges and a couple of bench chisels. I didn't do one single bit of the carving, but merely carved one of my own at the same time so that she could see what I was doing. It wasn't the easiest thing to start with, either, being uncomfortably small. So if you've ever thought you'd like to give carving a try but were afraid to waste a piece of wood, give it a go. I'd be absolutely amazed if you don't find out that it is way easier than you thought.

 

[AJB Temple]

You are clearly intent on winding us all up with talented child.

It's almost a challenge.

She's done a great job.

 

[Mike G]

No, she's not talented at all (at woodwork, that is). That's the point. Carving really is just a damn sight easier than you'd think.

 

[Cabinetman]

Well done daughter, must be a chip off the old block lol. I taught myself to carve letters in an afternoon so yes I agree with you Mike, before we know where we are we shall have another main section on the list devoted to carving.
Ian

 

[AndyT]

:text-bravo:

 

[Lons]

That's a cracking result Mike but I think she must have some ability to even handle chisels like that as a first go :eusa-clap:

I agree, relief carving is more about very sharp tools and some manual dexterity than ability so people really should at least have a try as it adds another dimension to work. You can get away with just 2 or 3 gouges.

Carving in the round is a different matter if you want to carve something that at least resembles the subject in size and shape. My first ever carving was a bit of scrap stringy mahogany using a standard bevel edge chisel and a Stanley knife, it's standing in front of me as I type this and makes me cringe but I was more than happy when I made it 40 years ago.

 

[AndyP]

Mike I guess you are just as chuffed and proud as you daughter.

My wife spent a few years at night school carving lessons ran by Bill Prickett. When this whole Covid malarky is over perhaps your daughter should see if there is something available close by.

 

[Woodbloke]

No, she's not talented at all (at woodwork, that is). That's the point. Carving really is just a damn sight easier than you'd think.

Hmmmm, when you get to this level:



...that statement is debatable :lol:

That said, a cracking first attempt by No.2(?) daughter. Much kudos! - Rob

 

[Mike G]

Mike I guess you are just as chuffed and proud as you daughter.

I'm just pleased she wanted to give it a go, and that we had a good hour together in my workshop.

My wife spent a few years at night school carving lessons ran by Bill Prickett. When this whole Covid malarky is over perhaps your daughter should see if there is something available close by.

She lives in a flat in Sweden. I don't see much carving in her near future.

 

[TrimTheKing]

Excellent that Mike. As you say, the time spent is as much the pleasure as the subject matter. Top job.

 

[Mike G]

....Carving in the round is a different matter ......

, when you get to this level:

f6c84d6bbcc3b219faf44ae9095e9fe2.jpg
(101.61 KiB)


...that statement is debatable :lol:

Absolutely. I guess I should have said "low relief carving is easy". That is truly amazing work.

 

[Alasdair]

I haven't tried carving in many years, my first attempts were rocking horses and like mike said its daunting to start but easier once you get into it. Much patience and sharpness of tools required as well as an eye for grain direction. She made a nice job of the tudor rose though.

 

[Woodbloke]

Absolutely. I guess I should have said "low relief carving is easy". That is truly amazing work.

I think you've nailed it there Mike, which is why I'm keen to get on with my linenfold carving project. Stuff in the 'round' like Gibbon's work from the 18th century is just in a different league - Rob

 

[TrimTheKing]

Absolutely. I guess I should have said "low relief carving is easy". That is truly amazing work.

I think you've nailed it there Mike, which is why I'm keen to get on with my linenfold carving project. Stuff in the 'round' like Gibbon's work from the 18th century is just in a different league - Rob

I've seen quite a bit of Gibbons' work in various stately homes we've visited. It was only when we went to Blenheim did I realise he also did a huge amount of stone carving too.

Was really interesting learning about him and also, like so many masters through the years (Chippendale etc) he clearly didn't do all his work himself but had an army of labourers. That interests me because while Gibbons might have been the best carver in the world, but much of the work out there that's attributed to him clearly didn't come from his own hands...

I'd be really interested to know how much of the really fine wood carving work I've seen of his actually comes from him because that would suggest that he was the famous one while there were many equally talented craftsmen.

 

[John Brown]

Very good. Especially as she isn't looking at the work...

 

[Lons]

Absolutely. I guess I should have said "low relief carving is easy". That is truly amazing work.

Easier not easy Mike, she's done a remarkable job especially for a first attempt, as I said, she must have some talent already. :eusa-clap:

It really doesn't matter anyway IMO what a finished carving looks like as long as the carver got enjoyment and satisfaction from doing it.

None of my carvings are ever actually finished, every time I look I think it just needs a bit more off there or a bit more detail somewhere else and have to stop myself taking a chisel to it. :?

 

[fiveeyes]

Mike, your daughter has an eye for this. Perhaps you have instilled a spark, that will catch fire.
Shop time with a child is priceless. :text-bravo:

 

[Woodbloke]

Mike, your daughter has an eye for this. Perhaps you have instilled a spark, that will catch fire.
Shop time with a child is priceless. :text-bravo:

I wish mine had some sort of spark installed All I get now are requests to make stuff from the WoD (Workshop of Dad) and now that No.1 son is about to complete on a house, I daresay there'll be a few more - Rob

 

[Cabinetman]

Rob, you don’t know the half of it — yet, even though I trained my son as a cabinetmaker there are still things and big jobs he needs help with, we just did a six door fitted wardrobe and ensuite bathroom before Christmas. And that was after we had done Oak flooring throughout the ground floor, a complete new kitchen new architraves and skirtings the list goes on and on, oh I forgot the full 5x5m workshop in the garden.
And what did he give me? My first grandchild, now that’s what I call a fair swop Ian

 

[Mike G]

Mike, your daughter has an eye for this. Perhaps you have instilled a spark, that will catch fire.

No, she really hasn't. She enjoyed it, but has no interest in taking it any further.

Shop time with a child is priceless. :text-bravo:

Couldn't agree more, albeit this particular child is 32 :lol: