In the beginning choose something simple like a leaf shape. Look at some trees and select a leaf shape to your liking, Choose a wood which is not too hard but with a firm close grain-mahogany, chestnut or walnut and later ash and maple. Draw the design on paper first, as it is so much easier to modify or change a drawing than wood after it's been cut. Think twice for one cut, is the carpenter's motto.
Tracing your design onto the wood let it run diagonal or parallel with the grain, next cut out the shape of your leaf close to the outline with a fret saw. It should now be glued to a larger piece of wood than the work and of inferior quality that can be used many times for this purpose, which is for holding it down to the bench. In order that the work might be separated when the face has been carved, a sheet of newspaper was inserted between the two glued pieces, this will make it easy to separate them on completion.
The recommended gouge about No 6 or 7, and start shaping the inside from the direction of the grain, which is the easiest method; unfortunately it is easier to carve into wood than to carve out of wood. When cutting into wood the fibres are being compressed as they are cut, but in cutting out the fibres are being opened up and torn apart.
The effect is similar to trying to sharpen a pencil with a penknife, and starting from the point and cutting back toward your self, instead of cutting towards the point which is much easier and safer. So don't carve from the nearest side but take a small chip from the furthest side of the work from yourself and continue until all that you desire is removed. Finish by sand papering down and vanishing.
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