How to Hand Carve Scenery on a Mantel

Draw the scenery design onto the front of the mantel with a pencil. Start with the basic outlines of the design and then add the details.

Score the basic outlines of the scenery design with a carving knife. Move the knife along the pencil lines while applying slight pressure to the blade to cut into the wood to the depth required for the specific part of the design. Apply more pressure for deeper cuts and less pressure for more shallow cuts.

Carve away lower areas of the design along the basic outlines of the scenery design by holding the carving knife at a slight downward angle and cutting along the outside of the scored lines. Continue carving in this manner until you achieve the depth around the raised elements you desire. Shave small slivers away instead of cutting out large chips of wood all at once.

Score the detailed lines of the design with the carving knife with the same procedure that you used in Step 2. Carve away the recessed areas of the design with a combination of U- and V-gouges. Use the U-gouges to create soft lines with curved bottoms and the V-gouges to create fine lines and V-shaped details in the design. Carve away edges on the raised elements of the design with the carving knife as you add details with the gouge chisels. Take thin shavings away until you achieve the overall design.

Sand the design lightly with a fine-grit sanding pad to smooth the marks left by the carving knife and gouges. Be careful not to sand too heavily in highly detailed areas of the scenery.

Wipe off the carved mantel with a tack cloth to remove any dust and debris left from the carving and sanding process. Apply a wood finish that matches the existing finish on the mantel with a paintbrush. Allow the finish to dry for four hours, then apply a second coat.