I saw this technique demonstrated at a recent wood carving session I attended this week.
Lots of relief carvings involve carving trees, either in the background or as a foreground point of interest.
The more traditional approach to simulating the look of leaves on trees is to take a small palm v-tool and holding it vertically repeatedly punch the area where leaves are to appear. The trick is to randomly turn the v-tool in different directions to make it more natural looking. The problem with this technique is that it is fairly labor intensive.
The technque I saw demonstrated was to take a jig saw, place a normal everyday blade in it and use it to create clusters of leaves. The tip of a normal jig saw blade is V shaped and this is the part of the blade that needs to be used to make the leaves. You need to use a relatively slow speed and carefully place the blade vertically to the carving surface. A variable speed feature on the jig saw would be helpful here. Since the jig saw reciprocates in a vertical, almost elliptical path, it will punch into the wood leaving indentations that simulate leafs. (Caution: Don't get too agressive with downward pressure or you might break the jig saw blade.)
By varying pressure, speed and rotating the jig saw, one can quickly create clusters of leafs in a carved tree. Practice on a piece of scrap wood before trying this on your actual masterpiece!
The larger hand-held jig saws will work , but the better technique is to use a cordless powered hand saw. Google search to find one or click on link below. This will give you more control and allow you to see the tip of the jig saw blade easier as you are creating your leaf effects.
Give it a try. Let us know your experiences if you try this technique.
Mid Craft Designs
Lots of relief carvings involve carving trees, either in the background or as a foreground point of interest.
The more traditional approach to simulating the look of leaves on trees is to take a small palm v-tool and holding it vertically repeatedly punch the area where leaves are to appear. The trick is to randomly turn the v-tool in different directions to make it more natural looking. The problem with this technique is that it is fairly labor intensive.
The technque I saw demonstrated was to take a jig saw, place a normal everyday blade in it and use it to create clusters of leaves. The tip of a normal jig saw blade is V shaped and this is the part of the blade that needs to be used to make the leaves. You need to use a relatively slow speed and carefully place the blade vertically to the carving surface. A variable speed feature on the jig saw would be helpful here. Since the jig saw reciprocates in a vertical, almost elliptical path, it will punch into the wood leaving indentations that simulate leafs. (Caution: Don't get too agressive with downward pressure or you might break the jig saw blade.)
By varying pressure, speed and rotating the jig saw, one can quickly create clusters of leafs in a carved tree. Practice on a piece of scrap wood before trying this on your actual masterpiece!
The larger hand-held jig saws will work , but the better technique is to use a cordless powered hand saw. Google search to find one or click on link below. This will give you more control and allow you to see the tip of the jig saw blade easier as you are creating your leaf effects.
Give it a try. Let us know your experiences if you try this technique.
Mid Craft Designs