Official Luthiers Forum!

I've been using this nail set background texture for well over 20 years carving banjo parts.
Here are other examples of how a textured background brings the carving to life.
I also included shots of some of my a incise carving project (just carving a uniform border depth in design) and how incise works well with different dyes. I didn't do the dye work and finish
Kent

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Wood Creations by Kent A. Bailey
EXCELLENCE IN SCULPTURE, CARVING, LUTHIER, ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK AND DESIGN

http://www.kabart.com

Beautiful work!

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Any way to post closeups of them? I just love your carvings.

Second that motion. Great stuff, Kent!
I especially like the gargoyle--most clever!

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Really awesome work, thanks for posting it!

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http://www.PeakeGuitars.com

Let me try and enlarge a couple.
I think this is about as big as I can enlarge the photos and not loose definition.

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Wood Creations by Kent A. Bailey
EXCELLENCE IN SCULPTURE, CARVING, LUTHIER, ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK AND DESIGN

http://www.kabart.com

Magnificent carvings! Can the carving art be learned or is it a natural skill you either have or you don't? I just bought some flexcut carving tools and a book that teaches the various styles. I gotta say i have no natural carving skills...mike

There are carving classes by individuals throughout the states. Most are good carvers teaching hobbyists. Check with carving clubs in your area or region. Also...many carvers are specialized in one style or medium. You can determine by looking at the work if that person is accomplished enough to teach.....or teaches the style of carving you want to learn. The US does not have true carving apprentices like Italy, Germany, Austria, Bavaria...etc. It is becoming a lost art to machine pressed wood designs, computer duplicating machines and laser carving.
You can pick up a book or 2 on relief carving and get the basics.....THEN...take a scrap of basswood, draw your own design and see what you can do. It has taken me 30+ years of practice to get where I am today.....and I am constantly learning.

Your flex cut tools are OK. You WILL buy other smaller hand carving tools as you get deeper in to it. Just a bit of advice....Buy the better carving tools. You will also find that 3-4 tools is all you need to do instrument carving. If you get really good....you'll carve with 1only 1-2 tools.

I'll answer any questions you may have and help if I can.

Kent

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Wood Creations by Kent A. Bailey
EXCELLENCE IN SCULPTURE, CARVING, LUTHIER, ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK AND DESIGN

http://www.kabart.com