Introduction
Wooden handicrafts can be made from various types of wood, each with its own features and properties. The surface of the wood has a wide variety of grain patterns and natural shapes. Engaging in wood carving art requires understanding the appropriate use of different materials and having the skill to “match the wood.”
Discussion of criteria for choosing sustainable woods
Wood carvings involve considering the shape, quality, and grain of the wood. The goal is to harmonize the overall aesthetics and decorative beauty with the natural texture and grain of the material. This approach not only enhances the overall integrity of the wood but also preserves its inherent dynamic qualities, resulting in an ideal artistic effect. It is also worth noting that freshly cut, untreated wet wood is not suitable for immediate carving. Otherwise, it may warp, crack, or undergo other deformations before the carving is completed, affecting the overall outcome.
Detailed exploration of the unique characteristics of different woods
Common types of wood used in making wooden crafts include basswood, pine, birch, rubberwood, and some hardwoods.
1. Basswood :The scientific name for basswood is Tilia . Found in the northern regions of our country, it is a superior wood, yellow-white in color, slightly light and soft, with a fine, even texture and vague straight grain. It has a slight silk gloss and a soft feel, making it very easy to carve. It is known for not deforming or cracking, with stable dimensions and good internal qualities.
2. Birch: Found in the northern regions of our country, it is yellow-white to slightly brown with a pure and even grain and beautiful spots. The wood is hard, dense, and shiny, slightly heavy and prone to cracking, suitable for carving small works and practical crafts.
3. Pine: Found in the northeast of our country, it is a coniferous plant with a pine scent, light yellow color, and many knots. Pine is known for its coarse and beautiful grain due to clear annual rings and many resin channels, which give it a strong decorative appeal.
4. Rubber wood: It is light brown, with an open-pore structure, and has a uniform material. The grain is straight, with loose lines, many random black spots, and no unique wood grain.
Insights into the artistic considerations that the choice of wood for each product type
1. Basswood is suitable for carving various small animal pendants, decorations,wooden carving birds, keychains, carved animal pen, etc., with sizes ranging from about 5-20 cm. Basswood has a delicate and vague grain, not very pronounced, with generally bright colors.
2. Pine is generally used to carve larger decorative products, about 15-25 cm in size. After processing, pine has a more pronounced grain due to its clear annual rings. The overall color has an aged effect, giving it a vintage look. As it is natural wood, the texture varies, so each product has a different wood grain effect.
3. Birch is a harder wood, usually used to make simple and rugged products, such as Santa Claus figures, pine trees, wooden moose, etc.
4. Rubber wood is generally used for piggy banks, wall hooks, or plates, and other products.
Conclusion
It’s preferable to use wood that has been dried (with a moisture content of about 10%) or naturally air-dried for over a year. Wood with knots or blemishes from insects or mold should be avoided or placed on the back or less significant parts of the work to not affect the quality of the product.However, it’s important to note that knots and wood grain variations are inherent characteristics of natural wood and cannot be entirely avoided.
