Читать книгу Woodcarving Illustrated Issue 68 Fall 2014 - Группа авторов - Страница 18

Woodcarving Illustrated

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SUMMER 2012

16

Create beautiful

images with this simple

low-relief technique

By Lora S. Irish

Scraffito

Swan

relief

column

Scraffito (also spelled sqraffito) is an ancient technique

of scratching into a smooth surface to create a simple

outline design. It is often seen on pottery, plaster, and

stonework. To enhance the incised outline design,

the surface of the artwork can be colored with a

contrasting hue before the cuts or scratches are worked.

For example, Russian birch-bark carvers create a two-

toned scraffito effect by gluing a veneer of pale-colored

birch bark to a dark wood, such as walnut. As they cut

the birch bark layer, the dark color of the walnut shows

through, creating a strong contrast between the cut

design and the un-cut background areas.

To try this simple, fun, and fast technique, use a

V-tool to incise the pattern lines, a small #11 gouge

(veiner) to create a textured background, and a small

round gouge to add a little shaping. Vary the depth of

your V-tool strokes to use both very thin, fine lines and

wide cuts in the design. Also, try using free-form chip

carving strokes while cutting the outline. The finished

MATERIALS:

•

Basswood, 1" (25mm)-

thick: 71/8

" x 8" (191mm

x 203mm)

•

Finish, such as

polyurethane or

acrylic spray sealer

• Oil-based stain

TOOLS:

• Small V-tool

• Small #11 gouge (veiner)

• Small round gouge

materials

& tools

The author used these products for the

project. Substitute your choice of brands,

tools, and materials as desired.

carving is very shallow—the deepest cuts sink about



" (3mm) into the wood.

After completing the scraffito, dust the carving

well to remove any small wood chips. Use two coats

of polyurethane or acrylic spray sealer, allowing

each coat to dry well. To accentuate the V-tool and

veiner lines, use an oil-based stain, following the

manufacturer’s instructions.