Wood Processes - Carving
Wood carving is an old and traditional craft. The wood may be carved in relief, which means that the sculpture is carved out of a background, like the Panels Symbolising the Seasons, the Relief of the Holy Family , and the Sculptor's Workshop. The Female Saint is carved in detail all the way around the object, so you can look it from all sides.
The wood is shaped using a variety of tools. Chisels are used to cut straight lines, gouges used for cutting curves and a hammer hits the chisels into the wood. The carver has several chisels and gouges of different thicknesses and they can be seen on the wall in the relief above
When carving an object:
1. The wood is fixed to a workbench with a clamp.
2. The basic three-dimensional shape is cut away.
3. It is then shaped further with a hammer and chisel.
4. Details are added using chisels and gouges.
5. The inside might be hollowed out to prevent the wood cracking.
When an artist is sculpting a relief a number of other stages are required:
1. The areas between the figures is carved away, leaving the figures standing out.
2. The background is all carved to the same depth.
3. The artist then starts to shape the face and clothing of the figures.