Low Relief Carving

Low relief carving (bas-relief) uses shallow depth so the design only slightly rises from the background. It emphasizes clear outlines, gentle modeling, and subtle shadows—perfect for plaques, signs, and decorative panels.

For beginners, low relief is a friendly place to start: few tools, modest material removal, and fast visual progress. Focus on clean stop cuts, smooth background lowering, and soft transitions to suggest depth without cutting too deep.

BeaverCraft recommends basswood panels for predictable grain, a V-tool for outlining, and a couple of shallow gouges for modeling. Keep knives and chisels stropped so lines stay crisp and edges don’t fuzz. Simple motifs—leaves, lettering, symbols—help train control and consistency.

With BeaverCraft chisels and knives, you can produce refined bas-relief work that looks elegant even at low depth. As skills grow, add textures and micro-details to enhance light and shadow while staying within a shallow carve.