Grapes

[Random]

Hello everyone
I would like to know your opinions on this carving i've done. Any suggestions for improvements? I personally am not happy with the looks of the grapes itself. It's just don't look right to me. But i can't figure out how to carve it, so any tips would be welcomed.

[Eddy-Smiles]

I try to leave relief carving to those who are more talented but I had a good friend and artist carve a similar piece many years ago and from that I would suggest that: 1. perhaps the grapes should have a little more definition around them (deeper separation), and 2. Make sure that all the grapes are round. It's okay to try and show grapes that are sitting further back but you need to change the depth of them so that they actually look behind the grapes in front. Just my thoughts and I urge everyone to take them with a grain of sand because as I said, I'm not a very good relief carver.

[Random]

Yeah, i was thinking something along those lines. Also, maybe it would be good to undercut each individual grape. I tried that, but then i ended up with even worse result. Distances become somehow wrong. Definitely, i need more practice.

[Brian T]

I grow grapes. Sorry but I have no close-up pictures.
The color photos in the grocery store flyers will have to do.

1. When you look at a bunch, the grapes are not all side-by-side = they overlap a lot. Some are full circles in the front, many are crescent shapes around the sides.
2. Use a smooth-edged coin as a template to draw the grapes all the same size.
3. Most grape leaves have sharp points and edges. Try not to round them off so much.
4. I like textured backgrounds, both random and patterned. Pick one and do it all that way.
The chips have to be all the same.

[Merle Rice]

You have a Nice Carving going for you . I agree it's the Grapes that is the Problem . Try to Shape the Pod of Grapes as a Whole , don't worry about loosing the Grapes when you Carve it, their is more Grapes under the one that you remove . After you Shape the Pod then add the Grapes. I feel that will give you the Depth that you want . Merle

[Nebraska]

When carving rounded shapes I mark the high point and carve down from there that way I don’t end up whith flat tops. Additionally you are removing what is not a grape so you need to remove the voids between the grapes.

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[joepaulbutler]

I sure agree with all that has been said. the first thing I noticed was the flat grapes, then I notice the stems were also flat. I don't know how much board you have left but I think you need to go deeper & also undercut all the edges. I think you got a great carving going, just don't give up too soon

[Random]

Thank you all for advice, i will bear them in mind. I'm planning to carve this same motif from the beginning soon, so your answers will sure come in handy.

[Steev]

In addition to carving the voids around the grapes deeper, you may want to lower the background a bit more, then slightly undercut the edges of the stems and grapes. That will help separate them from the background. If it were mine, I would also straighten and square the edges of carving, consider some kind of frame.