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F O I. I A G F. :    COPYING A NATURAL LEAF IN W O O D

Fic; 5.7 Theground is almost at its finaÅ‚ level, cut euenly with a fiat gouge, and a deep narroiu gouge is setting down tbe notches.

Fic; 5.8 The twogouges usedfor tilting tbe edges of the leaf and beginning to model the hollows. NorÄ™ the sharp join between the ground and the oertical sides.

Fic. 5.9 A Vchisel being used to cut the central vein.

thc leaf into a bowl it is morc lifclikc if thc rim is irregular. It also means a morÄ™ chree-dimensional use of the wood. The next process is therefore to rough out the highs, lows and tilting planes with a broad, flattish gouge (Fig 5.8).

Modf.i.ung thf.

SURFACE DETAILS

Once the broad masses arc established in the wood the linÄ™ of the main rib is hollowed with a No. 11, 10 or 9 gouge or V tool (Fig 5.9). Here the tip of the leaf and the stalk are kepi raiscd. Tliis leaf is the

FlC 5.10 A gouge being used with the flute fitcing downwards to round the top of a ridge.

normal way up, so the veins appear on the top surface as grooves. Depending on the naturÄ™ of the leaf, there may be ridges or grooves running back towards the centre from thc major indentations in the leaf, known as eyes in conventional leaves. To make ridges, the deep gouge is drivcn along from the promontory or lobc of thc leaf on each side of the eye towards the central rib, following the direction the vein takcs in naturÄ™. If you cut diagonally one side of the gouge is going against the grain, but damage should be slight if you keep the corners of the gouge out of the wood and the cdge is sharp. If it is difFicult to push the chisel

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