NumbersWoodcarving by with Mike Davies Carving a Tudor Rose

Woodcarving by Numbers is a simple to follow programme that Please refer to the Significant guides woodworkers of all skill levels to become competent Six Techniques tutorial or watch woodcarvers. Available as a tool and DVD package, simply match the Foundation Skills DVD for your carving tools to the numbered profile chart, and follow safety and guidance with your techniques. the step by step guidance through each project. Watch and learn the Significant Six Carving techniques in the ‘Woodcarving The Lancastrians carried the badge of a red rose, Foundation Skills’ DVD and work through the various projects, while the Yorkists fought under the emblem of the graded in difficulty, designed to put your skills to the test. The white rose. In 1485, Henry Tudor, the Lancastrians’ leader, took the throne, crowning himself Henry ultimate goal is to create designs of your own to add a unique VII. On his marriage to Elizabeth of York he point of difference to your woodworking projects. combined the red and white rose badges, creating what became known as the Tudor rose and marking the official end of the war of the Roses. Sweep Profile Carving a Tudor Rose Not surprisingly, this design became an important Reference Chart decoration on wood and stonework throughout the Tudor period (1485-1603) and beyond. It was also frequently used on embroidered tapestries 1 and in paintwork. 1. I have chosen to carve this design in oak, a common timber used in furniture from this 2 period. Our first task is to mark the design onto your timber. To begin you will need to enlarge 3 the drawing in Figure 1, so that each square of the grid measures 20mm. This can be done using 4 a photocopier, or by enlarging a scanned image. Alternatively you can re-create the drawing by 5 hand on your own grid. When the drawing is complete, you could make a cardboard template, 6 or simply trace the design onto your timber using carbon paper. See photo 1. 7

The Tudor rose is a decoration steeped in 8 tradition and history. The rose has long held a symbolic place in decorative art in many countries, cultures and religions. Used to depict innocence, knowledge, peace and suffering as 9 well as love, passion, secrecy and sacrifice, it is hardly surprising that this symbol of so many values became such a common heraldic motif 10 and was, and still is, incorporated into furniture designs and used widely in architecture. 11 Briefly, the story of the Tudor rose dates back to 1455 when civil war broke out in England 12 between the Lancastrian and the Yorkists, both sides fighting for the throne and political power. Photo. 1

1 2 Use tool profile #’s 4,5 & 12 to set in the 3. Using profile #6 cut at 45 degrees from the outside perimeter of the large rose petals, the outer circle to meet the set in cuts of the large small rose petals and the inner circle. You can also rose petals and the barbs. Practice the sliding use profile # 5 to set in the barbs between the technique as you carve towards the ‘set in cuts’ larger petals. Hold the carving tool using the Pinch and try to ensure that you remove all fragments of position and make sure that the cut is set in at 90 timber with each cut. You will need to ‘set in’ the degrees to the timber surface. vertical profile cuts of your petals 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.

Photo. 7

Photo. 2

Photo. 5 4. Next we need to shape the barbs. Mark a pencil line from the tip of the barb radiating towards the centre of the design. Then use profile #5 to slice down from the centre line to meet the edge of the larger petals. Then carve the barb in the opposite Photo. 3 direction to form a high, straight ridge along the centre of each barb. Take a look at Photo 6 to see the required shape. Photo. 8 6. Set in the inner curved line of each of the larger petals with tool profile #5. Then carve down towards the cut to clear the waste. Photo 9.

Photo. 4 Note how in Photo 2 & 3 the tool is angled so that the ‘bevel’ of the tool sets in a cut at 90 degrees to the timbers surface. If a greater pressure than arm-weight is required to set in the cut, then use a mallet to give the Photo. 6 handle of the tool a gentle tap. 5. Concentrate now on forming the large rose petals. In photo 7, see how profile # 4 is used to shape the inside of each of the larger petals. Create two scoops leaving a high ridge in Photo. 9 the centre of each petal. Once this has been 7. In photo 10 you can see how the same process completed, do the same for the smaller petals has been completed for the inner petals of the with tool profiles # 2 & 3. Photo 8. rose using tool profile number 4.

2 10. With profile # 11, carve the area where the two petals of the larger rose meet to fall down towards the smaller rose Photo 13. Then do the same for the smaller rose petals where they fall away to the centre circle. Photo 14.

Photo. 10 8 Now take the scoop from the middle of each of Photo. 16 the large petals with tool profile # 4. This should create two clean ridge lines that run towards the 12. Now round over the edges of the petals Photo. 13 centre of the design. Photo 11. using the various profiles from your collection as appropriate. Photo 17. Study the picture of the finished design Photo 22 to ensure that you achieve the correct shape.

Photo. 14

Photo. 11 11 With profile #’s 8 & 1 create a ‘V’ line between 9. Complete the process for the smaller rose using each of the petals. This process can be seen in tool profile# 2 or 3. Photo 12 Photo 15 & 16. Photo. 17

Photo. 12 Photo. 15 Photo. 18

3 13. To complete the design, set in a circle in the 17. Use profile #2 to round over each of the seeds, and profile #1 to assist with cleaning the work centre of the design with tool ref # 3. Photo 18. as you go. Finally, a light sanding may be required to perfect the shape and lines of your decoration. However, be careful not to lose the definition of your chisel work.

Photo. 19 14. Create 6 or 8 equal divisions radiating out from the centre within the inner circle. 15. Use profile # 3 to set in an arc at the widest point of each division to form a continuous line of arcs around the center circle. Photo 19.

Photo. 22

About the Author: Photo. 20 Mike Davies is an accomplished craftsman, who has completed 16. Now with profile #1, set in the division lines projects for royalty, national trusts and private collectors alike. for each of the segments and carve down towards He has surveyed and restored works by many of the great designers the set in cut at 45 degrees. This should create a and carvers from the past. series of valleys that radiate towards the centre. Photo 20. As a qualified teacher, he originally developed his ‘Woodcarving by Numbers’ educational system in 1994. It was created to help woodworkers of all skill levels to master the art of woodcarving. Since then, his system has been published in magazines and books. It has been televised and used to teach students in schools and colleges around the world. The information contained within this document, forms part of a DVD and tool package, which has been developed in cooperation with many of the world’s leading carving tool manufacturers.

Important Information and Disclaimers: learnabout.TV and Mike Davies assume no responsibility or liability for injuries, accidents or damages resulting from the information conveyed herewith. The information or instructions are provided as general guidelines only and demonstrate woodworking activities performed by skilled and experienced craftspeople. These techniques can be dangerous. If you practice them, proceed carefully and at your own risk. The Sweep Profile Reference Chart is provided as a simple referencing system for this series of Woodcarving by Numbers tutorials. It does not refer to references used by the London Pattern Guide, Sheffield List or Continental System. Please note that due to the printing process there may be variations between the sweep chart and actual tool Photo. 21 profiles.

4 5 Order by Phone: Customer Service: Woodcraft Hotline: HOW CAN WE HELP YOU MAKE WOOD WORK? 1-800-225-1153 1-800-535-4482 1-800-535-4486

RPCV12A 12 Piece Carving Chisel Set, Educational Booklet & DVD This unique woodcarving package of 12 carving tool profiles, instructional DVD and booklet represents incredible value. Ideal for woodworkers of all skill levels from the complete novice to the seasoned professional. Each tool is manufactured from spring alloy steel, developed to retain its cutting edge and resistance to corrosion. The ergonomically shaped handles are suitable for both hand and mallet work and a substantial tang secures the blade into the handle to ensure strength and durability, locked in place by a ferrule preventing the handle from splitting. The DVD features British Woodcarver Mike Davies, busy at work on a large carving project in New Zealand. Hailed by local media as ‘A gift to the Nation’, the work is followed by national television and newspapers and is beamed via live webcams to viewers around the world. Mike takes time away from the project to share his simple to follow, step-by-step woodcarving wisdom in the workshop. He demonstrates the ‘Significant Six’ techniques that form a Click here to watch Mike solid foundation of skills for successful woodcarving. By following demonstrate the ‘Significant Six Techniques’ this proven system, the aspiring woodcarver will soon be creating a collection of attractive projects and designs using this comprehensive selection of tool profiles. RRP $139.99

vimeo.com/recordpower/sig-six Foundation Skills DVD with Mike Davies Click here to learn more about the Record Power 12 Piece Carving Chisel Set, Education Featured on the DVD Booklet and DVD • Tool talk • Sharpening & maintenance • The Significant Six techniques • Timber selection • Basic flower project The 16 Page full colour companion • ‘Practice makes perfect’ project booklet features a collection of • Tips and tools projects to put your skill to the test. vimeo.com/recordpower/wood-carving RPCV130 Carver’s Vice RPCVM15 15 oz Carving Mallet The tried and tested design of this vice makes it an extremely solid and user- A good quality carving mallet is an essential part of the Woodcarvers toolkit. friendly base for carving whilst offering superb value for money, making it an Unlike a square faced mallet, which is generally used to strike a tool vertically ideal choice for new and experienced carvers alike. with the mallet face at 90º to the tool handle, the rounded face of the carvers mallet allows solid contact to be made when the carving tool is held at various RRP $79.99 angles to the work. Weighing 15 oz, this mallet is an ideal general purpose tool, suitable for delicate work as well as for heavier operations Pivoting Support Arm such as roughing out. This provides further flexibility of positioning. RRP $29.99

Made from Solid Beech The close grained Beech Secure Clamping provides the ideal weight, The cast iron clamp jaws hardness and strength. provide more than enough holding power for heavy use.

Woodworking Machinery & Accessories Terms and conditions apply. Contact store for more details. Price exclude tax and freight. Offer is subject to stock availability. Prices are valid at time of publication July 2016, but may be subject to change without notice. Please visit our website for current pricing.