Sailboat Relief Carving

Sailboat Basic Carving Techniques Tutorial

By L. S. Irish

Introduction

LOW RELIEF SAILBOAT WOOD CARVING SCENE

This low relief Sailboat scene in a great choice for a beginner’s wood carving project. It offers a new carver a chance to work with layers and levels inside the scene, smooth areas versus very detailed areas of work, to explore each of the basic wood carving tools, and see how the tools are used to create a variety of textures..

We will work together through this project so that you will be able to see the carving develop step by step. Within many of the text sections you will find a listing of links that will refer you to detailed information articles on our website concerning the step or technique that is being used in this tutorial.

Below the main text sections you will find pictures of the step on which we are working, along with close-ups and captions. So do scroll down through the entire page.

Pull up a chair, get out your carving apron, and let’s begin class. Oh … and please Bookmark this page so you can easily return to the tutorial as you work.

Hope you enjoy the project!
L. Susan Irish

Introduction to Sailboat Tutorial

• Table of Contents (You are here!)

Getting Started

• Tools and Materials Needed List
• Working With Your Pattern
• Working With a Levels Map
• Basic Carving Tool Set

Pattern Work, Roughing Basics

• Tracing the Pattern
• Working with the Grain of Your Wood
• Basic Roughing Out Cuts

Learning about Levels

• General Level Carving Information
• Stop cuts and roughing out techniques.

Straight Line Instructions

• Carving a Fine Straight Line

Roughing Out Level 2

• Cutting joint corners with the Chip Carving stroke.

Roughing Out Level 3

• Using a v-gouge to create a joint trough.

Retracing the Pattern

• Cutting your pattern into level sections for easy re-tracing.

Shaping and Detailing Level 1

• Simple rolling over and tucking under technique to shaping.

Shaping and Detailing Level 2

• Using a veining tool and v-gouge to create simple texture.
• Squaring up your water lines.

Shaping and Detailing Level 3

• Cutting concave and convex curves.
• Making under cuts to create dark shadows.

Shaping and Detailing Level 4

• Using a round gouge to create half-circle cuts.
• Using a v-gouge for rope twists.

Finishing Steps

• Sanding and finishes.