Mexican Handcrafts :: Wood Carving Art

Wood Carving Statues

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Wood carving is the art of working wood with artistic or ornamental intentions by means of sharp instruments, drills and abrasives. Wood is light, flexible and moldable, and offers a great resistance to the tension. The veins and the variety of their textures provide a great natural beauty, in spite of lacking the weight, durability and monumental quality of the stone. The knowledge that is possessed about the history of the woodcarving is much reduced, since it is a vulnerable material to humidity, fire and to the destructive activity of some insects like the woodworm.

The first step to make a carving is to work the wood block with axes, handsaws and knives. Next the figure is modeled with gouges, chisels, drills and knives. Later on rasps, limes and sandpaper paper are used to give a finish to the piece. The carving can be painted or golden directly on the surface or over a layer of plaster or fabric directly. As alternative one can leave the wood in their natural state, wax it and polish it.