Carving
Wood carving
Grain, moisture, species, and joinery make the material an active partner in every decision.
Materials & tools
- Hardwood or softwood
- Gouges
- Mallets
- Pigment and gilding
Wood sculpture may be carved from a single trunk or assembled from joined blocks. Directional grain encourages particular gestures and textures while also creating risks of splitting and movement.
The Met Open Access APIThe process
- 01
Season and orient the timber
- 02
Rough out with axes or adzes
- 03
Carve across graduated gouges
- 04
Join separate elements
- 05
Seal, paint, or gild