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Essential Woodcarving Techniques

Fig 9.1 Various lines. The one on the left Incks interest.

as it gees used up. Try drawing lines verrically, horizontally, diagonally, and in waves and circles. Varv rhe pressure, twisting the drawing implcmcnt so chat the stroke changes from thick to thin. letting the stick or pencil wobble or skip over the surface to make an irregular linÄ™ (Fig 9.1).

You will notice chat a linÄ™ drawn wich even pressure from end to end looks as lifeless as a piece of wire compared with a linÄ™ that tapers, wiggles or skips. What happens is that the eyc travcls along it at the same speed, while a varying linÄ™

Fig 9.2 A quick sketch witbout worrying about completing nil the lines.

takes the eye along a morÄ™ exciting course as it stops, starts, wanders or accelerates. Practising for ten or so minutes daily will cvcntually dcvclop your confidence and judgement of what makes a good linÄ™ while your physical control grows to match.

Try drawing an outline, varying the quality of the linÄ™. This can easily be done by concentrating less on the precise direction than on the overall partem (Fig 9.2). Do not press hard or your linÄ™ will look deliberate and heavy.

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