How to Color East Yang Wood Carving Artworks

A master of a fine Dongyang wood carving factory excels in carving techniques and wood coloring. How to color a wood carving artwork?

When coloring the art pieces from Dongyang Wood Carving Factory, we first need to match the colors. The ratio of paint to water is 30:1, ensuring it's appropriately diluted and translucent. This way, even with multiple applications, the wood grain won't be obscured. If the color mixing is done correctly, the brush should not hold too much water. Avoid rushing, as excess color in deep crevices can lead to uneven effects.

After mixing the colors, we proceed to paint the Dongyang Wood Carving Factory's artworks. When painting the wood carvings, we primarily ensure the wood's essence and grain patterns remain visible beneath the paint. Some wood grains become more pronounced through dyeing. Therefore, it's best not to apply the colors too thickly; the ratio of paint to water should be about thirty to one, maintaining a thin, translucent consistency. This way, even with multiple layers, the wood grain won't be obscured. If the colors are mixed correctly, three coats should suffice, but each coat must dry before applying the next. The brush should not hold too much water, and one should not rush the process, as uneven coloring may occur in deeper recesses.

That concludes the tutorial on how to color and what to consider when working with Dongyang wood carving art pieces.

The history of Dongyang wood carving in China is long and profound, with primitive society witnessing the emergence of primitive wood carving crafts. Although these Dongyang wood carvings now seem rough and primitive, they represent a groundbreaking application of human ingenuity in wood processing. With the advancement of technology and the development of human civilization, by the Warring States period, the art of Dongyang wood carving had evolved from simple incised patterns and carved coffins used in Shang Dynasty pottery making to the creation of three-dimensional round sculptures, marking a significant leap.