Have you had the chance to look at an old wooden chest and admire the handiwork of its intricate designs? Or the simple geometric carving style of modern wooden doors? Whether you're planning a big project, or just looking into designing a gift, we will show you how to carve designs into wood.

3 DIY TechniquesTo Carve Designs Into Wood

A process we are unfamiliar with keeps us on our toes. We do not know what to Learning how to carve designs into wood will include knowing which technique would best suit you.

Relief Carving

Relief carving is a decorative carving technique that produces a sort of illusion, like knowing how to carve a hand out of wood. Reliefs are carvings raised on a flat piece of wood, giving the impression of depth.

• Step 1 - Draw the design on paper the same size as the wood. The copy of your drawing allows you to modify parts of the wood as you go along.
  
  
• Step 2 - Sketch the design on the wood. A pencil will allow you to change the design if it is necessary.
  
  
• Step 3 - Start carving the main lines and the shapes. A large hand chisel will rough out the relief carving.
  
  
• Step 4 - Resketch details that were removed during the rough carving and proceed to carve the details in with a fine or medium chisel.
  
  
• Step 5 - Finish the wood. You can do this by sanding it using the appropriate grit, followed by applying a wood finish, like olive oil and lacquer.

Chip Carving

Chip carving refers to a woodcarving style that uses chip carving tools to gradually chip away parts of wood to achieve a design. The resulting piece is an artistic pattern with simple shapes and lines that make learning how to carve wood a beautiful art.

• Step 1 - Prepare the wood through sanding with 320-grit sandpaper. A smooth surface allows your chip knife to make clear-cutting strokes.
  
  
• Step 2 - Trace the pattern using graphite paper. You can use a ruler or a compass, so your tracing is more accurate. Graphing straight to the wood using grid lines is another option.
  
  
• Step 3 - Start chipping. Now that you have a guide, you can chip the surface of the wood to create the patterns of your design.

Power Carving

There is a little controversy behind this method because to woodcarver purists, using power tools is not carving. But since you are learning how to carve designs into wood, we will include this as one of the options.

Step 1 - Read your power carving tools manual. Be cautious with handling any machinery and ask for assistance if necessary. A rotary tool is an ideal tool for detailed and smaller designs.

Step 2 – Smoothen the surface of the wood. After sanding wood surfaces, it will be easier to sketch the design on wood.

Step 3 – Carve using your rotary tool.

Step 4 – Finish the piece by woodburning. This process can enhance the beauty of your piece by adding depth and a natural finish.

Conclusion

The refreshing part of knowing how to carve designs into wood is truly appreciating all its details. Work and creativity are poured in every piece, and now it will be your turn to make your mark.