How to Carve Wall Wood

Practice carving with the various tools before attempting to carve the wall wood. Use a piece of basswood, a scrap piece of lumber or even a raw potato to practice.

Draw a design on a sheet of paper and then transfer it onto the wall with graph paper and a sharp pencil. Secure the papers to the wall with masking tape to make the transfer less complicated. Unless you are skilled in carving, it is best to start with a simple design, such as a sunburst or another shape with few details.

Cut the outline of the design with a carving knife or a utility knife. Using sharp tools makes the project less difficult and dangerous since you don't have to exert as much force.

Hold a chip-carving knife at a 65-degree angle to start removing slivers of wood inside the outline. This angle is not difficult to obtain if you place the first knuckle of the underside of your thumb on the lower side of the knife handle, the Woodworkers Institute advises. Always cut with the grain of the wood to make the project look professional. Use the same type of motion necessary to scoop out a piece of melon with a spoon.

Carve small or large depressions in the wood with gouge chisels of different sizes. It is best to make small cuts and then go deeper if necessary.. You can always go back and remove more wood if needed to obtain the look you desire.

Fold a piece of fine grit sandpaper and use it to sand the carving once the design is complete. This is particularly important on rough edges and areas with details. Follow the grain of wood for the best results.

Dust the wood wall carving with the feather duster to remove any sanding debris.