Fig. 54. Incised Carving.
Choose some simple pattern, your object being to learn how to cut and not to produce something startling at a first effort. If the wood be dark, such as American walnut, mark the pattern through with the prick-wheel or dot, Fig. [54]. If the pupil has not perfect eyesight, or expects to carve at night, it is advisable to outline this dot line with a very fine camel’s hair brush and Chinese white. This prevents many mistakes. Take, to begin, a small gouge, a little less than the stem to be cut in diameter, and run it along the line. When you cut leaves, get gradually towards the centre. Then take a larger gouge and finish the stems.
Keep by you a piece of clay or putty, or moist kneaded bread, and from time to time take an impression of your work. This is important, for the real excellence of intaglio carving consists in its being exactly like relief carving reversed. In this way you will at once perceive, without any special directions, what tools to use in your work.
Fig. 55. Incised Border: Centre in Low Relief.
Fig. [55] is a rather advanced example of this class of carving. The whole of the foliage is cut in cavo relievo, or cavities, with gouges and chisels, both straight and bent, and the lines upon them with bent V tools. The duck in the centre may be in ordinary low relief, to give an effective contrast.