First of all... I have no idea how to use an exacto knife for carving. I mean, I've seen tutorials, but it looks difficult and a little too overrated to me. Don't get me wrong, I've seen some phenominal carvings done with exacto knives (ElectricMedic on words - WOW!) but I just don't think they're for me. Who knows... Maybe one day I'll try it out and fall in love with it.
Second, I don't use magnifying lamps. Heck, I don't think they're overrated and I know that they're very useful. The problem is that my eyes get confused looking into them and it actually makes it harder for me to carve. So, if you have a magnifying lamp, and can use it, by all means, use it! I've heard from a ton of people that it has drastically helped them improve.
Third, I've been carving since April of 2008.... And since, I've only ever used my Speedball carving tool to carve. I have not used needles or exactos or wire tools. Although, I am a little interested in trying them out as well as giving the magnifying lamp another few goes. So.... anyways.....
The transfer technique is one of the most time consuming... It's the trace and rub on technique. I often use dumpr.net with the sketch tool to help. I have found SHH's Portrait Sketching blog post incrediby helpful after I've used dumpr. Unless I am out of mechanical pencil led, I will almost always use it over a wooden pencil.
Once I've traced, I place the cut out image and place it on the block. While holding it still, I tape all the edges so I can begin transfering. Once it's taped on, I rub over several times with the bottom of my Speedball carving tool. It's rounded, so it makes a great tool.
I peel off the picture I've transfered, fix any things I may have messed up on while transfering on the block, and begin. I usually use my modified #1 nib (or #0 nib) to carve. I only use something bigger when I have to get out big spaces of rubber. For the small details, I barely press down into the block with the tip of the #0. And, if I am doing it too lightly, I'll know because of the amount of white I see inside the led borders.
And for the non-small details, I go DEEP. In fact, I've carved so deep before that I've gone through the bottom of the block. I've been doing better about not going so deep, but learn from my mistake: don't go deeper than you have to!! DON'T!
When I carve, I usually don't really pay too much attention to carving. My mind wanders and thinks about other things... Like virtuals or the LTC that I'll be making with the carving.... sometimes even other stamps that I want to carve. Or sometimes it's about life.
Try to find something to do while you're carving, other than just carving. It gets very boring if you just carve. I see carving as more of an opportunity to make something while coming up with an idea for something letterboxing related. I've tried listening to music while carving and it distracts me too much. If you find you're doing something that causes you to become way too distracted, don't do it anymore. Find something else.
After I'm done carving, I cut it out of the block with a sharp knife. I cut odd shapes, instead of a well rounded or squared shape.... Make a note of which direction is up with your Sharpie. Then, I get out all of the loose little rubber pieces by smacking it with my hand over a piece of paper... Then, I wash it off, dry it, and ink it up. I print it and make any corrections I need to. I usually print it again to have an image for me to keep...
And, I've got a stamp =)
~BOB~
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