Netsuke Tutorial Page 4

Here's the model and the piece of English Boxwood I've chosen to carve the finished piece in. I've shaped the wood very roughly to conform to the outer dimensions of the model. I've coated the wood with linseed oil to minimize any cracks due to humidity changes since it may be a while before I actually can start carving.

Above, I've begun establishing the basic planes of the elements of the carving. I've very roughly drawn in the positions of the salmon, and have begun establishing the rough placement of the rocks. Notice the fish are being established first, since everything else in the composition depends on them. I'm establishing only the top surfaces so far, since I can always carve further downwards and reduce how high up the fish are in the composition, but once I begin carving the undersides they are locked in place. Any corrections that can be made after that are only to reduce them in height, but not position. This is a basic tenet of carving: work on only one side (or top or bottom) of an element until the positioning is correct. Once you begin working on the other side, your options are instantly reduced! A word of note: I never try to simply replicate the model. It is only for rough reference, and really only used during this stage of roughing out. I'll allow myself to wander away from the model as the spirit moves me in the later stages of carving.

	Carving the Spawning Sockeyes Netsuke
Here's the model and the piece of English Boxwood I've chosen to carve the finished piece in. I've shaped the wood very roughly to conform to the outer dimensions of the model. I've coated the wood with linseed oil to minimize any cracks due to humidity changes since it may be a while before I actually can start carving. Above, I've begun establishing the basic planes of the elements of the carving. I've very roughly drawn in the positions of the salmon, and have begun establishing the rough placement of the rocks. Notice the fish are being established first, since everything else in the composition depends on them. I'm establishing only the top surfaces so far, since I can always carve further downwards and reduce how high up the fish are in the composition, but once I begin carving the undersides they are locked in place. Any corrections that can be made after that are only to reduce them in height, but not position. This is a basic tenet of carving: work on only one side (or top or bottom) of an element until the positioning is correct. Once you begin working on the other side, your options are instantly reduced! A word of note: I never try to simply replicate the model. It is only for rough reference, and really only used during this stage of roughing out. I'll allow myself to wander away from the model as the spirit moves me in the later stages of carving.
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