Though wax can be very easy to carve, one of the biggest challenges that many people face when working with this material is that they can’t tell that they’re taking away too much of the wax until it’s too late. A ring that was symmetrical just moments before may suddenly find itself too narrow on one side, too shallow on the other, or awkwardly thick in the middle. Wax carving is all about knowing how much wax to remove without overdoing it, and the best way to ensure that you don’t make the same mistake is to carve slowly and to check your progress constantly. There’s nothing wrong with removing wax quickly and efficiently, but it’s a good idea to pause every once in a while just to make sure you haven’t sacrificed your design.
The most common cause for early destruction of wax patterns is detailing. It’s very easy to get excited when you start to see the wax take shape and want to start adding the details. Resist the urge. Not only will this make it very difficult to adjust the overall proportions of your piece, but it will also lead to a wax pattern that is disproportionate and difficult to work with. Instead, focus on getting the proportions just right before you start detailing. This will save you time in the long run and will make your design look much more professional.
If you want to practice this skill, try starting with a wax ring blank. Divide the ring in half and mark the center before you start carving. Then, without worrying about the surface, start to remove wax from the outside of the ring. Stop after a few minutes and turn it over. Is one side higher than the other? Is one side more rounded than the other? Correct these issues before you continue. When you teach yourself to stop and look at your piece periodically, you will be able to keep the proportions correct and avoid having to start over.
One way to practice getting your proportions right is to work for just fifteen minutes a day. Divide this time into three five minute increments. In the first five minutes, roughly shape your wax into the shape that you want. Don’t worry about making it smooth; focus only on the proportions of your wax. Then spend the next five minutes making sure that it is symmetrical. Use a bright light to compare the front and the back as well as the left and the right. Make adjustments as necessary. Finally, spend the last five minutes perfecting a small section of wax. Again, don’t worry about the proportions of your wax, but instead focus on making the surface perfect. By dividing your time in this way, you will be able to work on your proportions and your detailing separately, and you will avoid the temptation to fix proportions in a wax that isn’t yet smooth.
If you find that your proportions are off and you’re having trouble fixing them, the best thing you can do is slow down. Though it’s tempting to hurry and try to fix the problem as quickly as possible, this will only lead to more mistakes. Instead, go back to the last time that you remember your wax being the right shape and proportions and then work forward from there.
In addition to hurrying, the other most common problem that people have when they are working to get the right proportions for their wax pattern is applying too much pressure. This can cause the wax to crumble and break away, leaving you with an uneven surface and even worse proportions. Instead, apply very gentle pressure and make several light cuts. Not only will you have more control this way, but you will also make the process of smoothing out your wax much easier when you get to that step. If you find that you are breaking the wax, don’t assume that it’s just a bad piece of wax. Instead, try sharpening your tool or adjusting the angle. If you’re still having trouble, you may want to go back and draw your guidelines again.
