Wine Barrel Carving Process
Step Seven - Adding Dimension and Depth

The curved sweep chisel, which I used to remove most of the background, is now turned over to carve the grapes in the design.  By carving with the curve down, the wood is slowly rounded to create each individual grape.  Because the grapes overlap each other, different layers must be created and each gently rounded back behind the one in front of it.

Due to the dowel pockets in a barrel head, the carving is fairly shallow, so this stage is important in creating a feeling of depth to the finished work.

Small rasps and files help to clean up some areas of the carving, smoothing areas where oak may have chipped during the carving.  I work with a set of eight small files, each with a different profile that allow me to reach and clean most areas of a carving.
Around the edges of the fruit and "Peaks Of Otter",  a combination of the V tool and files are used to create an under cut.  Removing a small amount of material at the very base of the design creates the illusion the carving sits above the wood.

Finally, dental picks and scrapers help remove any remaining chips or splinters from the carving.    I use no sandpaper to clean any cut or edge preferring to leave the chisel marks visible so the work is obviously hand carved.   On this barrel head carving - sandpaper will be used...

Step Eight - Sandpaper ?

• Our Wine Barrel Carving Commissions Page will provide you with information on how to order your own Custom Wine Barrel Carving!
  

• To see some of Tom'sWine Barrel Carvings, visit Tom's Wine Barrel Carving Gallery!