Over water/under water relief carving

[Gray_Fox]

I'm going to do a deep relief carving from a scene I drew which is of a great blue heron standing in a pond looking down at a couple of small fish hiding under some lily pads. The water will be sectioned or sliced showing both an above the water/under water view. The heron is in knee deep water with the lower 2/3 of its legs under the surface, but the legs will be clearly visible from the sectioning. The scene will have lots of swamp grasses at the pond edges as well as some cattails and other foliage growing in the water.

I have never seen this concept applied to a relief carving, but saw something similiar in a painting. Has anyone ever done this? Is there anything I should do or watch for with the carving or finishing? The wood will be a 12' x 12' x 1' basswood. The carving depth will range from 1/16' deep to 11/16' deep.

Thanks

Wow, sounds like a great project, and also sounds a little tricky. Wish I could give some advice, but have never tried anything like that. But sure to post some pics when you get it done!

Can't help you with that specific problem, but would consider using a little thicker material.. I'm not a relief carver, but all the study that I've done on it recommends leaving at least as much wood as you removed in order to limite cupping of the board. Of course, that's all book learnin' and experience could prove differently.

Gray Fox,

Your biggest challenge I think will be grain and chipping. No matter which way you orient it, there is going to be considerable cross grain work. Now that isn't necessarely a bad thing, but just something you need to be aware of.

I've done many water scenes, usually with a ship under sail on 'em, but no bird scenes. Those legs or the water will be the 'corker'......exactly perpenduclar to each other, and each long and narrow. It will certainly be a good exercise in planning, especially in Basswood.

I just finished a ship under sail in Butternut, and if was enough of a challenge for me.

Good luck, and keep thos tools sharp while you're working it.

We'll be looking forward to photo's when you can.

Bob