THE BASIC RULES AND TECHNIQUES OF CARVING

When starting to carve, it is necessary to study the properties of wood, because each species has certain qualities and texture inherent only in it, so there are differences in the way different species are processed. It is necessary to have an idea of the variety of color palette, to be able to give wood in artificial way (dyeing, toning, bleaching) the desired color and shades. In addition, the master must take into account the ability of wood to be easily processed and to acquire a smooth or matte luster, to perceive the face finish, as well as the differences in the texture of the three main cuts – along or across the fibers and at the end.
Every carver, when starting work, must learn and follow the basic rules of carving, which are crucial.
Carving in any technique necessarily begins with the fact that the workpiece is firmly fixed on the workbench by holders or other devices.
Of course, only practical experience gained in the work will prompt the most appropriate choice of technology in the manufacture of carved products. A novice amateur carver will be able to master the cutting and carving of profile shapes on the three main sides of the workpiece.
The slanting cut is made exclusively along the slanting line to the layer and in the direction of the coming fibers. Such a cut is clean, smooth, and shiny. Failure to follow this rule, e.g. cutting against the direction of the fibers, results in scoring and splintering.
Cutting across the fibers is performed with a half-round chisel from two sides (towards each other) from the edge of the workpiece to the center, you can not cut from one edge to another in one movement, as chipping will inevitably occur.
On a level face plane, the direction of cutting is from the edges to the middle. Cutting from the middle to the edges inevitably causes chipping.
Carving a straight double-sided notch across the curve is done with the joint first in a vertical position, then gradually cut edges on one and the other side of the line to the middle of the notch, holding the joint obliquely.
Carving a double-sided notch, located on a slant, is performed on a fixed and marked workpiece in three steps. First, a straight center line is cut with the cutter vertical to the full depth of the notch, then one inclined side of the notch is cut along the fibers. The second inclined side is cut in the opposite direction, also along the layer. Failure to follow this threading rule leads to rough cuts, scoring, and splinters.
Threading of straight, double-sided notches along the fibers is carried out without much difficulty if the texture lines of the annual layers are parallel to the lateral edges of the workpiece and have a straight-layered structure. First, the middle line is cut to the depth of the notch, and then the lateral edges are cut along slanting lines in any direction. If the wood fiber directions are deviated from a straight line and swollen, the carving is done differently: first the middle line is cut vertically in one direction, then the side faces in two directions. The main thing is that the cutter passes along the fibers, along the layer. Carving the non-straight wood sine requires care and skill.
Carving a notch in a curve or circle is done as follows. The marked workpiece is cut with a semicircular chisel or jamb first along the middle line, then the sides of the notch are cut in the directions indicated by the arrows in the figure. It is important only that the blade removes chips along the fibers. Particular attention should be paid to the areas where the edges of the notch meet (these are marked with crosses). The wood should be removed chip by chip (i.e. one on each side). A curved or circular notch on the plate along the wood fibers is good when cut in the four directions.
The carving of a semicircular notch located obliquely is carried out taking into account the direction of the layers of the annual rings, as when carving with a semicircular chisel in one direction, one side of the notch is cut well and has a smooth surface, while the other goes against the direction of the layer, and the cut is obtained with wood scuffs. Considering this, it is necessary to carve in two opposite directions, or in the direction of the fibers in the wood, according to the layer. The middle of the notch is cut particularly carefully and carefully, in thin layers, the chips of one direction into the chips of the other. By following these rules, it is possible to obtain a notch with clean and smooth sides.
The carving of a round concave notch located on the plate is accomplished in two ways.
Method 1. They cut from the line of marking running parallel to the arrangement of fibers in the wood, to a vertical line perpendicular to it and also passing through the center. The meeting places should be cut from the edge to the center along the vertical line.
The 2nd way. The notch is cut along the opposite parallel directions along the layers of wood structure. At the meeting points of the cutting direction the chip is cut along the fibers from the edge to the center.
Cutting a circular concave notch, located on the end side of the workpiece, is also performed in two ways. The 1st method. Cutting by lateral movements of the cutter with a semicircular chisel along the layers of wood. The direction of the carving is from the center in a circular motion, parallel to the edges of the notch.
2-nd way. The carving is carried out with a cleaver in the direction from the center to the edges along straight or slightly curved lines from the center to the edges of the notch.
The carving of a round convex shape on the plate is cut in the four directions in two ways.
Method 1. The carving is made from a vertical line going through the center of the convexity to a horizontal line going through the center, along the direction of the wood grain.
The 2nd way. Carving a round shape is carried out on a layer of wood in parallel directions from the vertical line to the edges of the convex shape.
Carving convex shape on the end cut of the workpiece is carried out along the direction-structure of the wood from the edge of the platform of the form to its top.
The techniques of the basic rules of carving cover the execution of almost all forms and types of relief. Further, when examining the individual types of house carving and execution techniques, there is additional information about the techniques and methods of carving that can be used by the carver.