Introduction to Wood Carving: Relief

This course is an introduction to relief wood carving. The course will go over the creation of a master design, learning how to use various hand tools, and how to successfully complete an artistic vision. The students will be familiarized with different carving tools and techniques that will allow them to design and carve family crest, a personal signature, or a culturally significant design in high-quality wood such as yellow or red cedar, basswood, cherry, alder or birch.

Students will also learn the process of pattern making for furniture design and other decorative elements for multiples so they can replicate designs through a master pattern. The students will draft their designs in a sketchbook based on research of their chosen culture, design elements, or crest. This design will be refined with the assistance of faculty in order to best reflect the student's intentions and the necessary techniques in order to successfully carve it. Once the design is created, the students will learn how to transfer the design to their chosen wood, turning the two-dimensional designs into three-dimensions.

Students will learn how to best accomplish the forms they are trying to create with guidance from Ed NoiseCat. Students will learn how to use tools to create their work, including tools such as chisels, gouges, carving knives, and flexcut knives. Students will learn techniques such as chip carving, knife finishing, and detail carving. By the end of the 10 weeks, students will have learned how to create and carve relief designs into wood. At the end of the term, students will participate in a critique to go over what was successful in their work and where there are areas to improve.

Anticipated Credit Equivalencies:

4 - Introduction to Wood Carving