TOOLS AND MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THIS PROJECT

My wood form is a pre-routed butternut plaque, 9" wide by 12" long and 5/8" deep.  Basswood, probably the most common wood used for relief carving,  would also be an excellent choice for this project as it has a very tight grain that allows for fine detailing. Butternut is a wood with a more defined grain than basswood.  This means that my detailing is slightly limited in comparison.  Also the grain of the wood will be very visible once the carving is complete. 

Please click on the pattern image to your right.  This will open a new window in your browser with a large copy of this Sailboat Pattern. Print several copies of this pattern; you will need one for tracing, one for establishing levels, one to cut into sections, and one to save in your carving patterns file.

You can also 'Right Hand Click' on the large pattern and select 'Save As' to place a digital copy on your computer's hard drive.  Save the pattern somewhere in your computer directory where you will be able to find it later, the Desktop is always an excellent choice. By saving this pattern to your computer you can resize the image with a graphics program to fit other wood forms with different dimensions than the one used here.

For more information of working with our patterns, please see:
Frequently Asked Questions
Basic Downloading (101)
Working With Your Patterns

WORKING WITH A LEVELS MAP

The pattern has been divided into four levels.  Starting at the deepest point in the design I have grouped the sky, clouds, and sun as  level 1, shown in blue.  Level 1 is the deepest areas in the patterns. The next grouping includes the mountain ridge, trees, and the water behind the sailboat.  This is level 2, shown in green.  Level 3 includes the sailboat and all of the water in front of the boat, shown in pink.  The final level, level 4, contains the posts, rope, anchor, and sand noted with yellow.

I use colored pencils to establish a level map on one of the printer patterns when I work.  I will refer to that map during the rough out stages, shaping stages, and detailing of the carving.

BASIC CARVING TOOL SET

There is a wide selection of carving tools available to the craftsman with varying shapes and sizes of blades and differing handle designs.  As you progress in your enjoyment of this craft you tool kit will increase as you purchase specific tools that you find usable for your style of carving.  

For this project we will be using the most basic of carving tools, including the Bench Knife, Chisel, Skew Chisel, Round Gouge, V- Gouge and Veining Tool.  All of the tools used for the Sailboat can be found in a beginner's wood carving tool set, the Macro Long Handled Tool Set.  You can also use the Japanese Short Handled Set, Japanese Long Handled Set or the Macro Palm Set.  The prime consideration between these four carving tool sets for a beginning carver is the handle shape and how comfortably the tool rests in your hand during the work.

For more information of available Carving Tools Sets, please see:
Basic Carving Tool Sets
Basic Carving Tools   
The Beginner's Tool Kit

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