Woodcarving
2. Lettercarving DVD
Benchside Instruction on Essential
Letter Carving Techniques
with Chris Pye
Published
by American Craftsman Publications, Canada
R.R.P.$48.50
As reviewed in The Australian Woodworker Issue 139
Letter Carving is one of Rob Cosman's Master Craftsman Series. It is the second of three DVDs which he has produced with Chris Pye and in which he appears, not in his familiar role as Master, but as student. The other two Chris Pye DVDs (not reviewed here) cover Sharpening Techniques and Ornamental Carving.
Chris
Pye is one of the world's best known and most prolific woodcarvers. The Gallery
section of his website
http://www.chrispye-woodcarving.com demonstrates both
the excellence and extraordinary versatility of his work.
Chris Pye became involved in the craft more than 30 years ago and now works and teaches on both sides of the Atlantic. He has authored several DVDs and a number of books, including Elements of Woodcarving, Woodcarving Projects and Techniques, Relief Carving: A Practical Course and Lettercarving in Wood (to which he refers in this DVD).
The video shows Chris Pye teaching Rob Cosman how to carve incised lettering. The presentation is clear and methodical and anyone interested in learning to carve lettering is sure to find the subject matter fascinating.
The DVD is, however, purely about the actual carving of the letters. To produce a satisfying project, Chris Pye makes early reference to the need to research the nature of type and the way in which letters are spaced.
The tools used for letter carving are discussed as and when they are used in the process - beginning with a flat chisel to cut the first vertical and horizontal strokes and going on to other chisels and gouges as more complicated forms (and the junctions between them) are introduced.
Consistent use is made of close-ups and camera angles have obviously been selected very carefully in order to give the viewer the best opportunity to understand and appreciate the work being performed. This is particularly important since the work is concentrated in a very small area on the workpiece and the hand holding the chisel must always hover over the cut being made.
The video is 1 hour and 29 minutes long, but the time seems to pass so quickly that the end may come as a surprise.
DVD includes:
-
Tools for letter carving
- Cutting straight sections
- Mallet techniques
(using a mallet with either hand)
- Adding serifs
- Step-by-step carving
of junctions
- Selecting gouges for curves
- Smooth curve carving
Duration: 89min
DVD - English - NTSC