Woodcarving for Beginners: master classes, drawings and sketches

Wood carving - a kind of arts and crafts, has received at one time widely used and very popular in the modern Russian territories. In virtually every region of the country to form their tradition of cutting patterns, patterns, figures of people and animals on wooden surfaces. Wood generally refers to the favorite materials of the Russian people. Perhaps the "roots" of this love go deep into the history and get lost somewhere in the times of paganism, when any natural objects was given a sacred meaning, and the trees are generally considered to be "native", that is the ancestor of things, personification Mother Nature. Whatever it was, but the wood is really very "warm", cozy material that besides more and is environmentally safe. At the moment there are lots of ways of wood processing, but the traditional carving is a step above any "industrial" techniques. Carving ornaments, paintings, figures, the master puts in their work soul. How to give a part of himself to create products, we can not teach, but will introduce the basics of working with wood, which will be useful to any novice carver.

The history of the origin and development

Wood can rightly be considered one of the oldest materials used by man. Since the dawn of time, people understood how affordable and easy handling can be wood. It began to attract widespread construction. The art of carving is closely intertwined with its own view of architecture - wooden architecture. People never suppressed his inner desire to surround themselves with beautiful things. This desire for beauty has often become an impetus for the development of art in different directions. The thread is no exception. As usual, the best first put on the altars to deities worshiped in those times. The oldest specimen of wood carving is considered shigir idol. It was found during excavations near Yekaterinburg. The product is a sculptured cut pillar with thematic designs on the surface. According to scientists, this idol was set up in the middle of the VIII century. Fabricated pillar of larch (contrary to popular misconception about the oak). In addition shigir idol there and later finds, decorated with carved elements, but the technique of the masters was primitive and rough. Modern man rather call them distinctive than beautiful. There was influenced by a poor tool, which was used by the master of those times.

And now a big jump in nearly ten centuries and transferred to the XVI century, when the first cooperative of carvers began to appear. From the field of worship and paganism carving gradually shifted to the home. Curlicue began to decorate objects sparse wooden furniture and utensils. Technology has become more refined, thanks to an expanded set of special tools, which began to use the wizard. In addition to the usual wood, even in the course were the roots of trees and cap (a type of build-up). His bizarre, irregular abstract, they evoke associations and pushed carvers to create original asymmetric household items. Artel of massively decorated temples, churches, palaces and houses of wealthy citizens. Most household utensils (from chests and to spoons) covered with decorative patterns. Since the house tried to decorate even the middle class, there was a separate area called the house decor. Many specimens are preserved to this day. Most of them became the official monuments of art. In parallel, there was also a more difficult technique to house carving - the volume. Relief decorations demanded great skill from the cutters, but the result was worth it. Carving decorated chests, chairs, toys, racks, gingerbread boards (analog trays), spoons, snuff boxes, headboards, frames and shutters on the windows. Although a couple of decades ago, this kind of art was in decline, gradually the old Russian tradition of wood carving are revived. It is no wonder they say that everything new was simply well forgotten.

thread types

Wood carvings are classified into the following subtypes and direction:

• Volume (sculpture). Image (oznamenka) completely or partially separated from the background. Technique is similar to the bas-reliefs.
• Ploskorelefnye. The image stands out, due to the deepening of the latter.
• Prorizna (delicate). It refers to a cross-cutting technology. Background in product is completely removed. Previously, they are often used for the design of icons and paintings as a framework.
• Contour. It is considered one of the simplest techniques. Novices often used for practical training. Injectable thread is a pattern which is formed by the intersection of shallow lines. If we compare with the art of sculpture, the closest analogue of this technology ankro or koylanaglif.
• Geometric. Like contour, it refers to simple techniques that the power of even a beginner. The pattern is formed of different geometric shapes and their entanglements. Despite its apparent simplicity, the work due to the play of light transformed and look very nice.
• Relief. The product is almost no flat plane. Each element of the pattern with different heights above the surface. There are two subtypes of thread: high relief and low relief. In the first case, the image serves nearly half of the volume, while the second is only a couple of centimeters.
• East. Characterized by an abundance of fine patterns obtained by the intersection of straight and curved lines. As a complement to the figures often appear flowers.
  The above technique referred to as primary, but are not limited. Much less likely to use technology thread to pick up and pillow background zaovalennymi cutting.

Where it can be used

Wood carving widely used in interior and landscape design. While such products are most relevant ethnic Russian style, beautiful wizard can organically join the Scandinavian eco trend, eclectic, Provence (in general any kind of country), modern, classical, and even fusion. In the interior use or carved articles of daily use (chests, boxes, inkwells, stands, furniture elements), or decorative details, which play a role of decoration (cornices, frescoes in some areas of the walls, arches edging, doors). For registration of the exterior house and surrounding areas acquire gazebos, benches, frames, gables, doors and gates, fences, made in the technique of wood carving.

The choice of material for

When choosing wood should pay attention to three criteria:

• The weight. The heavier the bar or board, the stronger will the finished product. This rule applies to all types of wood.
• Humidity. Should not be used for wet wood. Sooner or later it will dry up, which can lead to deformation of the material, which may have an effect on the thread.
• General state. The more the bar growths, knots and deformed filaments, the more difficult to work with such material. These defects do not allow the master to move the tool in the right direction, as they are constantly "stumble" on the obstacles.

If the wood carver is stored independently in the nearby forest, the material must be dried. It is advisable to carry out this procedure in the summer, as the 1-2 weeks the tree should lie outdoors. If the workpiece has impressive dimensions, this period is increased to 1-2 months. Material should not be left on the street in the "rainy season". Sense from such a procedure would not have been at a high level the ambient humidity, the water from the micropores disappear. After drying outdoor wood brought into the house, but do not put next to a radiator. water residues were removed within a week. For small workpieces suitable digestion technology. They were put in a container with water, which is heated and boiled for 2-3 hours. Ekpress This method allows you to quickly "squeeze" the remnants of moisture from the wood micropores. After the procurement procedures provide "rest" in the house for about a week.

Basic tools for craft

To work goes, little ones skills, you also need to use high-quality tools. Perhaps Niccolo Paganini and compensated for his mastery of the violin may have played on one string, but the legend refers to exceptions to the general rule. The standard list of tools on wood carver includes:

• Board thread. Superimposed on the work surface with the purpose of protecting it from damage. It is used only in cases where the master has no permanent place to work.
• A set of chisels. These carpentry tools differ in the form of pointed steel tips, but more about them will talk further.
• Knives. Along with chisels are used extensively for cutting patterns. There are several subspecies of knives, and different in appearance and functionality. Knives, cutters and knives schools differ only in cutting angle of the beveled edge. Without the latter can not do plane-carving technique. Bogorodskoye knives got its name from the area where local craftsmen used them actively to work on traditional toys. Usually sold in sets. Allocate one subtype of the variety of tools - "Tatyanka". The characteristic element of these knives are considered elongated handle. They allow maximum transfer tool the force with which the master carries out the pressure. Used in the so-called "power thread".
• Graver. It looks very similar to a chisel, but has a characteristic mushroom-shaped handle. It allows the master to cut the thinnest line.
• Lozhechnik. The tool is typically used to working with the spoons, and so that it is clear from the title. However, it may be applied to other techniques, if you want to make a neat hole in the tree in the handicap of a circle or semi-circle. Is a steel plate on the handle. At the end it is either rounded off half or fixated in the ring.
• Leka. It used as a stencil image for transferring the workpiece drawing.
• Nichrome wire. Applicable only for burning of individual picture elements with thin handling parts. It requires compliance with safety regulations. If the wire is heated, it easily burns upper thin layer of wood fibers.

Now a closer look at the variety of chisels, which can rightly be considered as the main tool of the engraver.

types of chisels

Depending on the characteristics of the blade and the application of chisels are classified into the following types:

• Straight. Have a flat blade. The tool is used to align individual workpiece areas or for its stripping at the preparatory stage of the work.
• "Slants." Corner sections of their blades and ranges from 35 to 70 degrees. Widely used in a geometrical carving.
• Kljukarzy. Considered as a kind of semi-circular chisels. Used for background processing and cutting of large convex shapes. Have a curved blade, remotely resembling a "cup" of rose petals.
• Corners (geysmusy). The blade-shaped trough leaves characteristic "grooves" on the workpiece.
• Semicircular. Typically, these chisels used for the bulk of the thread, but can be used in the art of plane. Tools different bending radius and a blade length. On the workpiece with their help make concave circles and lines, the depth of which is controlled by a pressure force change on the chisel.

Each master has to set their "favorites" tools, which he uses most often. Typically, such a touching affection develops over years of work, when the cutter has developed his own individual style of work. Newcomers can do it is to fill his "bumps" by trial and error until the perfect tool is found.

Handling Precautions

During the cutting of wood there is always a risk of damaging the hands of the master, and the fingers for carvers - the main tool of work. All tools sharp enough and lacked only one awkward movement to cut the skin, if not cut off anything important. Therefore, you should not neglect the safety rules that keep not so difficult:

• The working surface should be steady. Have a professional cutters for this purpose there are special benches. Beginners often work for regular tables that can be shaken.
• Only need to cut myself. By the same rule set fire to a match.
• The lighting in the room should be directed on the work surface. On the table should not fall shadows. Otherwise, the work will be very close to the parts that can cause damage not only in the case of excess fingers.
• Blanks which are processed to be fixed by means of special fasteners.
• When sharpening tools required to use safety goggles. After the process is impossible to check blade sharpness on fingers. To do this, you can use any unnecessary bar.
• Accuracy - the key to success. Each instrument should be based on the place (preferably in special task organizers). Thus, the master will eliminate the risk of falling chisel or knife on the floor with the consequent damage to the legs. Also need time to remove chips from the working surface. Otherwise, it may be an overwhelming desire to do so during the cutting process. One awkward movement while working with power tools can result in a catastrophe.
• When working with the power you need to pay attention to the wires. You can not give them a twist, because in such "tangles" easy to get confused.

Also not recommended to be placed next to the working place heating devices, burn candles, smoking. Chips is highly flammable, so any contact with the fire should be limited.

Master class geometrical carving

As mentioned above, the geometrical carving is one of the easiest, so is ideal for teaching beginners masters. To work a minimum set of tools required. only has an accuracy during cutting process value. drawing elements must have a clear symmetry. Images themselves are composed of recurring bands, which form a single elegant composition.

Technology and sequence of geometrical carving

In the figure in the art based on the geometric thread based on different basic shapes: circles, triangles, squares, rectangles, trapezoids, and lozenges that are complementary and the broken straight lines. Contrary to misconceptions inhabitants, the formulations lack the angularity and roughness. The play of light and shadow emphasizes the relief image. Subjects, as such, has no geometrical thread. It conveys the mood and clearly demonstrates the skill of the author. The finished product can affect the complexity and subtlety of the work, and sometimes adhere to the principles of conciseness, it has no effect on his perception. Very often at the heart of the composition are traditional Russian ornaments, which were previously considered "charms" of the evil forces. The process works in the art of geometric thread conventionally divided into stages:

• Preparatory. It includes fabricating ingot (billet), and the alignment of its rough surface, i.e. removal of defects, chipping of relief elements.
• Work on the composition using knives.
• The final stage. The final preform processing: grinding, impregnation special structures, varnish or paint coating.

After drying, carved crafts can be used for other purposes.

Required tools

To work in a geometrical carving techniques require a minimum set of tools:

• Pencil, ruler and compass (pattern) to produce an accurate picture.
• Two types of knives: "bong" and "pen" (a kind of Bogorodskaya knives).

The first type of knife used for cutting straight lines, which form the angular geometric shapes, and the second - for the "groove" with soft curves.

Create a sketch pattern

Masters, whose "hand stuffed", is applied to patterns directly on the workpiece using a pencil and compasses, rulers. For beginners is better to first draw a sketch on paper, or use ready-made designs that can be easily found on the World Wide Web. Printing the patterns, and then applied to the ingot and encircle the contour using carbon paper. When the pattern is fully transferred to the workpiece, it is possible to start cutting of the composition.

cut patterns

You should begin with the soft parts (wheels, petals, smooth lines). For operation using a pen knife. His hand clamped in between the palm and the index finger. The thumb is set aside and leaned against the workpiece. It will serve as a support. Bent index finger will control the forces of pressure on the tool and the angle of inclination. depth "grooves" will depend on this. Remember that you need to cut "by themselves." Is first treated with one part of the composition (left or right dependent on the dominant hand), and then the ingot was inverted and continue to cut the second part of the pattern.

Now it comes in a bong-opener to work on triangular elements. This tool keeps otherwise. It is clamped between the thumb and forefinger, like a pencil, but at the very end of the handle, closer to the blade. "Heel" blade gets jammed into the workpiece at an angle of 45 degrees, but not at the edge of the figure, and with a slight indentation. It must be done so that the notches are "flat" edge. "Grooves" with the topography looks beautiful. Facets of triangles should converge. By the same algorithm cut the remaining elements of the pattern. Waste pieces of wood must be in the form of pyramids, then the work is done correctly.

During the cutting process is easy to check the sharpness of the knife. If chips runs a continuous "ribbon", it means that the instrument is sharpened well. If it crumbles and falls away in pieces, the knife is not suitable for cutting. Even sharp tools during operation must be periodically grind. For these purposes a piece of natural leather, onto which a small amount of any polishing compound based on chromium oxide.

Sanding and impregnation of the finished product

To smooth roughness 'grooves' edges, the surface must be lightly sanded crafts sandpaper. Then the product is impregnated with a special compound. Some cover lacquer crafts, but most artists prefer the process of waxing (wax mastic) or oiled surface. In this case, the artifact will become easy, natural shine. Usually they use linseed, dandelion, mint, semitravnoe oil. These compounds are excellent for soaking dishes. Crafts thickly smeared means, after which the "rubbing" the oil into the wood. Now the product is to be dry. It is best to put it outside to dry in the sun. Some put the product near the battery or use a hairdryer to speed the process.

Master-class printing molds for pastry

To make a mold for a printed cookies, you first need to cut the workpiece. The width and length of the blanks depends on the future of confectionery sizes. You can rely on common standards and measure the usual commemorative coffee or biscuits, bought in a store. Regarding the choice of wood for these purposes fit larch, beech, oak. The preform is cut out of the board using a jigsaw. Then it is fixed on the working surface and transferred to a previously prepared thumbnail image. All the details of the composition on the cookie should be raised, the background does not need to handle, respectively. A set of tools to work varies depending on its complexity. To cut it easier, you need to select a picture-source, drawn with halftones. Then the master will be easier to navigate with the depth of cutting elements. For printing cookies often chosen inscriptions, unpretentious landscapes with trees, birds, animals, flower arrangements, "bouquets" ears.

cut plates

Tablets are generally irregular in shape. Contours products emphasize the curves of letters, so the workpiece is necessary to tinker, vypilivaya extra fragments at specific locations. The letters can be drawn by hand with pencil and ruler, or download ready-made inscription from the Internet. To produce tablets is very simple, so the option is ideal for beginner carvers. To work fairly, slants and knife set Bogorodsky "Tatyanka". After cutting plate is polished and covered with stains. When the composition dries, the recess further emphasize the second layer. Inscription on the tablets for bath complement clouds, oak or birch leaves, buckets, basins with brooms. For street use nice, smooth fonts and neat curls on a path, as here figures would be inappropriate. In the same way it is possible to manufacture the signboard to the original trade shops or beer, for example.

conclusion

One eminent sculptor once said that the composition - the most difficult thing in art. The general rules for its preparation does not exist. Comprehend the algorithm of composition and develop a fine artistic taste can only be observing nature. There is nothing more perfect than the natural system of the elements. This advice applies not only to sculptors, architects or artists, but also for wood carvers. First, during the training the newcomers ready to use drawings to fill out and acquire the skills necessary to create quality jobs. Later, however, everyone is trying to make tentative steps on the career of the artist, where a skill is not enough. It requires the ability to be sensitive balance in the composition that is produced over the years. Only by learning to combine the skill and artistic taste, the carver has a right to be called a master of creating products "with soul."