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Woodcarving By NUMBERS Pt.5 — Tudor Rose by Mike Davies

he Tudor rose is a decoration steeped in tradition and history. The Trose has long held a symbolic place in decorative art in many countries, cul- tures and religions. Used to depict inno- cence, knowledge, peace and suffering as well as love, passion, secrecy and sacri- fice, it is hardly surprising that this symbol of so many values became such a com- mon heraldic motif and was, and still is, incorporated into furniture designs and used widely in architecture. Briefly, the story of the Tudor rose dates back to 1455 when civil war broke out in England between the Lancastrians and the Yorkists, both sides fighting for Photo.1: The Tudor Rose carved in Oak. Not surprisingly, this design became the throne and political power. The The carving represents a smaller rose Lancastrians carried the badge of a red an important decoration on wood and lying over a larger rose. If coloured, the stonework throughout the Tudor period rose, while the Yorkists fought under the small rose is white and the larger one emblem of the white rose. (1485-1603) and beyond. It was also fre- red quently used on embroidered tapestries In 1485, Henry Tudor, the Lancastri- and in paintwork. ans’ leader, took the throne, crowning Elizabeth of York he combined the red himself Henry VII. On his marriage to and white rose badges, creating what Fig.2: Tool profiles used in this series became known as the Tudor rose and Fig.1: Tudor Rose pattern — enlarge or marking the official end of the War of the redraw so that each square is 20mm x Roses. 20mm

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Photo.6: Forming the ridged carving for Photo.2: Setting in the outside perimeter Photo.4: Setting in the centre of the rose the barbs (note finished barb at bottom of the large rose petals

Photo.5: Using angled cuts to remove slivers of wood from behind the set-in Photo.7: Shaping the inside of the larger Photo.3: Setting in the small rose petals cut petals with tool #4

The Pattern plete, you can make a cardboard template Internet search engine to view the video In the photographs I have carved this or simply trace the design onto your tim- on your computer. design in Oak, a timber commonly used ber using carbon Use tools #4, #5 and #12 (Fig.2) to set in furniture from this period. Of course, paper. in the outside perimeter of the large rose you may use any carving timber you wish petals, the small rose petals and the inner for this project. Carving the Rose circle. You can also use tool #5 to set in Enlarge the drawing in Fig.1 so that If you have not the barbs between the larger petals. each square of the grid measures 20mm. read the introducto- Hold the carving tool using the Pinch This can be done using a photocopier or ry article to this Position and make sure that the cut is set by enlarging a scanned image. Alternat- series (AWW #170 in at 90° to the surface of the timber ively you can re-create the drawing by August 2013), you (Photos.2, 3 & 4). Note in Photos.2 & 3 hand on your own grid. can view the Significant Six how the tool is angled so that the bevel of QR Code Note that you don’t have to carve the ‘Significant Six’ the tool sets in a cut at 90° to the surface. rose to this scale if you don’t want to. This Woodcarving Techniques video on your If a pressure greater than arm-weight is size has been specifically chosen so that it smartphone by scanning the QR code required to set in the cut, use a mallet to suits the set of tool profiles designed for (Significant Six QR Code). Alternatively give the handle of the tool a gentle tap. this series (Fig.2). type in ‘Record Power Significant Six Techniques with Mike Davies’ into your Using tool #6 in the Fist Position, cut at When the full-size drawing is com- 45° from the outer circle to meet the set-in

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Photo.8: Shaping the inside of the Photo.11: Removing a centre scoop to Photo.14: Carving the area where the smaller rose petals create two ridge lines on the large petals small petals meet and fall away to the centre

Photo.9: Removing the waste behind the set-in cuts in the inner curves of the Photo.12: Removing a centre scoop Photo.15: Creating a ‘V‘ line between the large petals from the small petals petals with tool #8

cuts of the large rose petals and the barbs. Practise the sliding technique as you carve towards the set-in cuts and try to ensure that you remove all fragments of timber with each cut. Repeat this process of setting in the vertical profile cuts and removing the waste several times until you achieve the desired depth of around 7mm. Remember to stay centrally located in front of your work. Hold the carving tool in the right hand to carve right and vice versa for the left (Photo.5). Shape the barbs next. Mark a pencil line from the tip of the barb radiating towards the centre of the design. Use tool #5 to slice down from the centre line to meet the edge of the larger petals. Then carve the barb in the opposite direction to form a high, straight ridge along the cen- tre of each barb. Photo.6 shows the required shape. Photo.10: Removing the waste behind Photo.13: Carving the area where the Use tool #4 to shape the inside of each the cuts in the inner curves of the small large petals meet and fall away to the of the larger petals (Photo.7). Create two petals smaller petals

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Photo.16: Cleaning up the ‘V’ line with Photo.18: Setting in the circle in the Photo.20: Carving the valleys in the tool #1 centre of the design centre divisions

Photo.17: Rounding over the edges of Photo.19: Setting in a series of equal arcs Photo.21: Rounding over the ‘seeds’ the petals around the centre ‘seeds’ and tool #1 to assist with cleaning scoops, leaving a high ridge in the centre circle (Photo.14). the work as you go. of each petal. With tools #8 and #1, create a ‘V’ line A light sanding may be required to per- Once this has been completed, repeat between each of the petals. This process fect the shape and lines of your decora- the process for the smaller petals with is shown in Photos.15 & 16. tion. However, be careful not to lose the tools #2 & #3 (Photo.8). Round over the edges of the petals definition of your chisel work with exces- Set in the inner curved line of each of using the various profiles from your col- sive sanding. the large petals with tool #5. Then carve lection as appropriate (Photo.17). Study For more information on the Record down towards the cut to clear the waste the picture of the finished design Power Carving Tool and DVD set used in (Photo.9). (Photo.1) to ensure that you achieve the this series, scan the QR Code on this page Repeat the process to define the inner correct shape. with your Smartphone or type in ‘Record petals of the rose using tool #4 (Photo.10). Set in a circle in the centre of the Power Woodcarving by Numbers’ into Take a scoop from the middle of each design with tool #3 (Photo.18). your Internet search engine to view the video on your computer. w of the large petals with tool #4. This Mark out six or eight equal divisions should create two clean ridge lines that radiating out from the centre within the run towards the centre of the design inner circle (Photo.18). Use tool #3 to set (Photo.11). in an arc at the widest point of each divi- Repeat the process for the smaller rose sion to form a continuous line of arcs using tool #2 or #3 (Photo.12). around the centre circle (Photo.19). With tool #11, carve the area where With tool #1, set in the division lines the two petals of the larger rose meet to for each of the segments and carve down fall down towards the smaller rose towards the set-in cut at 45°. This should (Photo.13). create a series of valleys that flow towards Then do the same for the smaller rose the centre (Photo.20). QR Code Carving petals where they fall away to the centre Use tool #2 to round over each of the Promo YouTube

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