Learning to Sculpt with Hand Tools

[TomInNC]

I just wrapped up the waterfall table build, and I have some scraps that I would like to use to make a matching side table. I was thinking this would be a good opportunity to build some hand tool skills, and I would like to learn how to hand sculpt furniture parts. I have used rasps and a spoke shave before, but only for cleaning up edges and things like that. I have not done what I would consider any real sculpting by hand. 

My biggest point of confusion right now is how to layout for the sculpting process. In many of the videos I have seen with sculpted chairs, it seems like after roughing out the part, the woodworker either just freehands the rest of the shape or the layout lines aren't visible. An example is around the 12:20 mark below for the Maloof rocker build. I can't tell if there is some kind of reference he is using to know when to stop removing material or if he is just going by eye. 

Does anyone know of a good reference for learning how to sculpt furniture parts that discusses layout? The books I have that do mention sculpting only talk about how to use sculpting tools and do not mention anything about layout.  

 

 

 

[Mark J]

I think @Bmac has done a couple of sculpted pieces.  There have been others, as well.  You might find some info in the project journals sub forum. 

[pkinneb]

I'm with @Mark J @Bmac is one of our resident experts on this. I have done some (sculpted bar stools & the Michael Fortune #1 Chair) and from my experience you typically have a hard line or two that is where your marker/pencil line is and you leave those until the very end. A lot of it is definitely site and what looks good to your eye nut one tip I learned is do both sides at the same time for instance work the right arm and then start on the left arm before moving to a new part of the project. For example if your making multiples do all of the arms an all pieces before moving on. This helps keep things symmetrical especially if your making multiples like in the case of my bar stools where I was making three. 

[TomInNC]

Thanks. I will take a look for his project journals.

[wtnhighlander]

"in the round" sculptors frequently use layout lines sketched on the surface of the media, and re-draw them as they get cut away. Only the last fraction of an inch / mm is tackled "by eye".

[Bmac]

On 11/10/2022 at 3:07 PM, TomInNC said:

Thanks. I will take a look for his project journals.

Haven't been on the forum as much as in the past, but I always check in occasionally. Were you able to find any project journals?

I will say about sculpting, it is much more a feel and eye thing. I know woodworkers are used to being exact. Tight mortise and tenons, tight dovetails, and etc, but sculpting is not like that. I view it more as an inexact and free form type of woodworking. From the above posts @pkinneb is absolutely right, do pieces that are the same together so you can get some consistency. 

When doing a sculpted piece I will always have my joinery done first. After that, with my patterns I mark my pieces and go to the bandsaw. I typically clean up the bandsaw cut to the line before rounding over edges and then mark a line as a guide for the roundover. Bulk reduction can be done with a router (if the piece allows), with a spoke shave, angle grinder or a rasp (my favorite way by far). The reason I like a rasp is you can feel the contour as you are using it, it is less aggressive so you have more control, and I think it does a much better job at creating flowing and what looks like a consistent roundover, even though it may have some slight irregularities. 

When blending your joints this is a total eye and feel thing. You can do a few marks but really this is the part that takes the most practice. 

Sculpting is the most enjoyable relaxing time I spend in the shop. 

[Mark J]

3 hours ago, Bmac said:

Haven't been on the forum as much as in the past,

So maybe we"ll be seeing more of you, now?  

[TomInNC]

Thanks for following up. Is there a journal in particular that you would recommend for someone totally new to shaping?

Shortly after posting this, I signed up for the guild Maloof rocker build. I don't have any intentions of building the rocker right now, but there are some really good videos in there discussing layout that removed some of the mystery of the process for me.

[Bmac]

@TomInNC, here's a pretty detailed project journal;

I learned so much from Marc's video series on the Maloof Rocker, I'm sure you will too. That was my first sculpted piece and it really got me into building a lot more with those skills I learned. I'd also say it ignited a real passion for that style of furniture.

@Mark J, I really should be more involved. It's a great group and I've learned so much and really challenged myself by being involved. If I'm going to be involved I've got to do project journals, so I need to look at posting some of those. Last winter I really went down the rabbit hole of making custom surf fishing lures, now I'm catching fish on them!

 

[TomInNC]

Thanks for sending the journal over. That is really detailed, and I am sure it will help out a lot. 

[wtnhighlander]

Hey, @Bmac! Lures have wooden parts, right? How about a lure journal??