There is no exact science to carving wax for lost wax casting. We invite you to give yourself the gift of play throughout this process. Carve for the fun of it. Experiment without being attached to results. That is when the magic happens.

We suggest you start by making a rough sketch of the design you wish to achieve. Then take your practice wax and test out of a few carving techniques.

This is your time to loosen up and explore.

You can support your wax when filing by using a wooden block. To do this, keep your block pushed to the end of a table. Hold the wax with your non-dominant hand, resting it on the block, while you carve with your dominant hand. This will ensure you have the right support for filing and help you have consistent strokes.

All files are designed to cut on the forward or push stroke. An efficient file stroke is smooth, steady, and even, using the full length of the file. The backward or pull stroke does not cut; it only repositions the file to start the next cutting stroke.

You will learn that it is a constant balance of being delicate enough with the wax, yet firm enough to get a good carve. Start with little carves and continuously work towards your end goal. Sometimes it can take awhile, but overtime you will see it start to pay off.

Watch the rest of our videos for specific carving and texturing techniques … or don’t! Find what works for you :)