Sculpture: Media and Process: 3. WOOD

Below is a brief overview of wood carving, wood turning, and fabrication.

WOOD CARVING is a subtractive sculpture process and is common both in sculpture (3-D forms) as well as in relief work. The process may be undergone with hand tools such as gouges and mallets or with power tools such as angle grinders, die grinders and Dremel tools. One may carve kiln dried wood or green wood. Lumber may be purchased at the final width desired (4" is a common maximum width available) or it may be laminated into a block of the carver's desired size. The final work may be left natural, or it may be waxed, lacquered, stained or painted.

DC Hardwood Sources:

-Colonial Hardwoods 7953 Cameron Brown Ct. Springfield, VA 22153 (703) 451-9217

-Vienna Hardwoods 241 Mill Street NE Vienna, VA 22180 Tel: (703) 255-9663

NY Hardwood Sources:

Rosenzweig Lumber Corp. 801 E 135th Street # 1 Bronx, NY 10454-3583 Phone: (718) 585-8050

Common woods used for carving:

Basswood (best choice for beginners), Butternut, Mahogany, Walnut, Sassafras, Poplar or MDF

Tools:

-4 1/2 angle grinder with a Tunsten Carbide disk such as Kutzall's Extreme 4" Disk

-Die Grinder with Tungsten Carbide abrasive carving burrs such as Kutzall Brand (avail at Compleat Sculptor and Woodcraft)

-Dremel tool with Tungsten Carbide abrasive carving burrs such as Kutzall Brand (avail at Compleat Sculptor and Woodcraft)

-Course Rasp

-Files

-Gouges, chisels and mallet

-Drawknife

-Sandpaper

-Titebond Wood glue and Clamps

Tips:

-Remove the bulk of the excess material using the bandsaw . Draw out the front view and side view of your form if working from a reference model.
-Make sure to use a narrow saw blade such as 1/4". Never cut out curves with a 1/2" or larger blade as this will break the blade.

-Keep your work clamped in a vise while working

-Wear a dust mask and eye protection
-Avoid exotic woods such as Rosewood as these species are toxic and may cause a severe allergic reaction. Research the wood before purchase. Here is a link to a list of toxic woods: http://riparia.org/toxic_woods.htm

Selected Wood Carving Texts:
Beginning Woodcarving: Projects, Techniques, Tools. Guild of Master Craftsman Publications

Selected Artists that use this process: Maskull Lasserre, Martin Puryear, Matthew Ronay, Ricky Swallow, Ursula von Rydingsvard, H.C. Westerman

Ursula von Rydindsvard, Doolin, 1995-7

Ricky Swallow, Instrument, 2002

Ricky Swallow, Sleeping Range, 2002

Matthew Ronay, Epicenter World Series, 2004

Maskull Lasserre, Self Doubt (Macaque), 2010, Carved plywood plinth, Bell jar, 13 x 13 x 58 inches

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WOOD TURNING

Selected Turning Texts and DVDs:

Turning Wood W/Richard Raffan DVD (available at the Corcoran Library)

IF YOU HAVE NEVER USED THE LATHE BEFORE YOU MUST HAVE A SCULPTURE TECH OR FACULTY MEMBER GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS, NEVER USE MACHINERY YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH WITHOUT INSTRUCTION

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WOOD WORKING/FABRICATION

Sheet goods such as Plywood or MDF (medium density fiberboard) are common material for wood fabrication. Sheet goods such can be found at Home Depot and other lumber yards.

Specialty building supply stores may provide ecological alternatives such as Plyboo (bamboo), cork, Wheatboard, and Kirei board.

Selected Woodworking Texts:
Understanding Wood by R. Bruce Hoadley
The Joint Book by Terrie Noll
Mastering Woodworking Machines by Mark Duginske
The Complete Guide to Sharpening by Leonard Lee
Encyclopedia of Furniture Making by Ernest Joyce

Selected Artists that use this process: Richard Artschwager, Richard Deacon, Donald Judd, Martin Puryear