How to Carve a Leaf Dish

Projects, Woodcarving, Woodworking Crafts

Andrew Thomas demonstrates how to carve a shallow maple leaf dish.

This project is aimed at the beginner-level woodcarver, and only requires a small piece of timber and very few tools. The design and form of the maple leaf can easily be modified to incorporate the reader’s own ideas. For example, the depth of the dish can be made deeper with a thicker piece of timber.

The basswood timber used for this project is a very soft to carve and forgiving species when worked close to the grain, making it an ideal choice for readers who are new to carving. However, it isn’t very strong, so great care, razor-sharp tools and a gentle touch must be used throughout the project, especially on the lower sections of the leaf. A stronger timber can, of course, be used, walnut for example being an ideal choice, as it is very strong and far more attractive when finished. Before you start working on the project, please read through the complete step guide and study the stage and finished images to see how the leaf develops.

Things you will need

Tools

Swiss gouges:

No.2, 16mm
No.9, 5mm
No.7, 20mm
No.11, 3mm or No.12, 3mm
No.16, 1mm

Materials

Basswood (Tillia spp) 275mm long x 125mm wide x 25mm thick

Leaf bowl plan

Drawings and how to resize them

To enlarge or reduce the size of drawings right click on the image to download it and then go HERE to watch a video on how to use paper with a grid to do exactly that.

1. Scan or photocopy the scale drawing provided, enlarging it to the correct size for your wood, and print it out on to card to use as a template. Cut it out accurately and draw the shape on to your wood, ensuring that the grain direction is running vertically through the block. Leave enough spare wood at the base of the leaf so that it can be attached to your vice

2. Cut the shape of the leaf out with a saw, working directly along the outside edge of the design line, then mount it securely on your woodcarving vice. The design of the leaf is asymmetrical, but it doesn’t matter which side is chosen for the concave top or the convex underside

3. Starting with the convex lower side first, draw the dividing lines of the leaf sections on to the wood. Use a No.2, 16mm gouge to pare away the left side of the top section, working with the grain, from the surface down to the left edge. If you feel any resistance with the cut, then try working in the opposite direction

4. Then use a No.9, 5mm gouge to carve deep grooves in between each of the dividing sections

SAFETY: Make sure that a part of your left hand (or right hand if you are left handed) is always in contact with the surface of the wood, which is crucial for balance, control and directing the gouge cut safely.

5. Use the No.2, 16mm again to pare along the right edge of the section and down into the No.9 gouge groove. Now repeat this procedure with the centre section at the very top of the leaf

6. The tips of each leaf section can be varied slightly in depth from one another, but make sure that at least two tips are using the full depth of the wood and touching the opposite edge. Draw these all into position with a gentle curve flowing towards each tip. Use the No.2 to pare the wood along each section until you reach these design lines. The No.9 grooves will undoubtedly need to be deepened as the concave surface forms

7. Next, move on to the section immediately to the right of the top section. The grain here is slightly different to that at the top and is much weaker. Therefore, great care must be taken with the pressure of the gouge work, especially later on when the leaf becomes more refined in its depth. Use the same techniques as outlined in steps 3 to 6

TOP TIP

When producing convex forms, if access allows, it can be very effective using the gouge upside down, therefore lending its curvature to the convex shape cut desired.

8. The lowest section is the most vulnerable, weakest part of the leaf, due to the grain running vertically through its horizontal projection. The area next to the stem can be carved quite deeply here to begin with, allowing good access to shape the lower edge in its convex form

SAFETY: If you are ever concerned about cutting yourself when carving, consider purchasing and using a pair of high quality cut protection gloves, which are available from many online retailers as well as hardware and tool stockists.

9. Now move to the left side of the leaf and use the same techniques outlined above to produce each of the convex shaped sections of the leaf. When you have worked around the entire shape, you will find that you are left with a flat area in the centre. This area can be shaped into the direction of each adjoining section of the leaf. The stem of the leaf will be carved last, as this area needs to be kept strong

**10.** The leaf can now be further developed by working deeper into each dividing section and curving the adjoining high point into the deep gouge cuts. Blend all of the surfaces naturally and evenly together. Your leaf should now look like this

**11.** We now turn our attention to the opposite, top side. If you are working off a faceplate, you will need to reposition the leaf to the opposite side first. This side is concave in its form and therefore initially needs to be hollowed all of the way across its surface from tip to tip. Do this with a No.7, 20mm gouge

**12.** The aim here is to create a concave shape on the top side of the leaf, in relation to that of the convex lower side. It is also to create the illusion that the leaf is somewhat delicate and thin, particularly on the tips. We do, however, have to allow for the fragility of the medium and not go too far with the refining

**13.** The top side of each section is notably flatter than the underside, so do not strive to create the same level of depth. Mark these positions around the surface of the leaf

14. Use the No.9, 5mm gouge to carve a groove in between each dividing section of the leaf

**15.** Use the No.2, 16mm gouge to curve the adjoining areas into the No.9 gouge cuts. Repeat steps 14 and 15 until you are happy with the overall visual effect of the surface

TOP TIP

The natural shape of the maple leaf is very flat, generally with five sections across its surface. Each of the sections has a jagged edge with pointed peaks. When carving leaves, these little peaks can be exaggerated in depth and form to produce a more visually effective finish with a good amount of shadow. They can also be carved quite flat as per their real life appearance if one chooses to.