Carving in the Round
Carving in the Round is a wood carving method that produces fully three-dimensional pieces – in other words, the finished carving is a freestanding object that can be viewed from any side or angle. Unlike relief carving, where the design is raised from a flat background, carving in the round liberates the subject completely, allowing lifelike forms that can be appreciated from every perspective.
For beginners, carving in the round can be a challenging yet highly rewarding endeavor. It is often seen as the pinnacle of wood carving because it requires you to think and carve in all three dimensions. However, new carvers don’t have to start with large or extremely complex projects – it’s wise to begin with something simple, like a small figurine, a cartoonish animal, or an easy whittling project. By tackling a basic figure, you’ll learn how to gradually find a form within a block of wood by removing material from all sides. Each project teaches proportion, symmetry, and how light and shadow play on curved surfaces. Even a simple rounded carving, like a wooden gnome or a bird, can give beginners pride and motivation to continue improving. For tougher wood types, it’s helpful to know how to soften wood for carving for a smoother process.
BeaverCraft helps beginners venture into carving in the round by providing suitable basswood blanks and beginner-friendly tool sets. Basswood is soft and fine-grained, making it ideal for carving figures without struggle. A basic whittling knife from BeaverCraft can rough out the form, while small gouges or V-tools from our kits refine details like fur or facial features. Carving in the round often calls for a broader toolkit, and our wood carving sets for beginners include carefully curated essentials so you can start confidently. Some even come with simple figure blanks, helping you jump straight into 3D carving with guidance. With BeaverCraft tools and tutorials, aspiring carvers can build the skills to transform blocks of wood into fully three-dimensional creations.
