Levels in Relief Wood Carving

 

Where do the free floating elements fall?

For this scene there is one more consideration, that’s what do I do with the sea gulls. The sea gulls seem to float in air without a visual point for their location I have two sea gulls near the sail boat that are larger than the third sea gull over the harbor town. I have decided to group the large gulls with the sail boat and push the small gull into the next ocean level. I could have easily decided to attach the larger sea gulls to the lighthouse level and the small one to the boat.

If I am working on 2” stock I would allow one half the thickness to remain un-carved leaving 1” of the surface for the scene. I, personally, would divide that 1” into 1/8” slices. Then I would allow an extra 1/8” in the lighthouse level and in the sail boat level giving me a touch more wood for the most important elements.

So my levels would read:
1/8” foreground with the grass and snow fence
¼” foreground with the lighthouse
¼” middle ground with the sail boat
1/8” middle ground ocean behind the sail boat
1/8’ background harbor scene area

To learn more about Working in Levels  and Determining the Depth of Your Carving in your wood carving, please visit LSIrish.com.

As a compliment to our Relief Landscapes pattern package we are introducing our newest package with six extra large farm and mill scene landscapes. The focus of these designs are the wonderful circular shapes found around the farm, including hay wagons, carts, and mill wheels. Farm Scene Pattern Package.