To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:02:27 -0500
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Sculpting wood (tips?)


Can we sculpt puppet parts in "green" wood?

Some wood bowl turners choose to sculpt in "green" wood (freshly cut wood, 
still has sap, still soft).
Some walking sticks are carved that way too.

Can we do that for puppets?
I assume there will be some warping as the pieces dry.  Perhaps we can 
sculpt the pieces, but let them dry long enough for enough stability to then 
sculpt the articulations???
Of course, that would only work for long term projects.


Specially dried wood, or whatever you find?

A friend of mine will only use a quality of wood that is certified at a 
certain degree of humidity, sold by a specialised wood sculpting supply 
store.  His argument is that this wood has been properly dried, and that it 
won't ever split on him.
I feel that this is all well and good, but it is not an absolute necessity.

For centuries, woodworkers have been content with whatever wood they could 
find, in the eseence of their choice, if it "felt right".  Sure, there are 
selection methods for those who are specialized, and I praise those artists 
who will go to the effort of selecting their pieces themselves, at least a 
year in advance, to let it dry properly. There is an art in selecting and 
drying wood pieces.  We don't all have the time, so we rely on suppliers. I 
wonder how trustworthy some suppliers are, and how we can test the wood to 
see if it is truly stable?

Many artists, many approaches.
If the Syrotiaks get their wood from lumber suppliers, then it's good enough 
for me.
What do you think?

Have you had any puppet pieces split on you, because of moisture or 
temperature changes?






----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mathieu René" <creaturiste-AT-primus.ca>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2008 5:23 PM
Subject: [Puptcrit] Sculpting wood (tips?)


> Hi all.
> I see we have a lot of interests in wood sculpting for puppets!
>
> I'm curious, what is your glue of choice for joining pieces and make 
> bigger
> blocks?
> I'd like one that leaves no colored trace at the joint once carved and
> sanded.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
> Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
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>


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