HC Flash Menu Placeholder
Contact the Artist
Would you like to ask the artist a question, or send some feedback?  Click the button below.



The Process

Below are video clips of the the artist creating one of his carvings.  Click on the video title or image to play. May take a minute to load depending on your bandwidth.
Video 1: Introduction
This clip introduces the artist, Dr. Herb Savel in his home carving studio. He provides a brief overview of his carving style, and explains what wood he uses for his holocaust carvings.
Size: 1.9M
Video 2: Preparing the Wood
In this clip, Dr. Savel explains and demonstrates how he attaches the wood for the carving to his workbench. He explains how this important process involves the use of glue, newspaper and plywood.
Size: 2.5M
Video 3: The Chisels
In this clip, Dr. Savel discusses the wide variety of carving tools he uses. Specifically, he demonstrates and explains the differences in his carving chisels, as well as where the chisels are created.
Size: 1.7M
Video 4: Selecting the Subject
In this clip, Dr. Savel explains how he selects a subject for a carving. He shows how he uses actual photographs taken during the Holocaust. In this clip, he focuses on the book, "French Children of the Holocaust."
Size: 4.6M
Video 5: Beginning the Carving
In this clip, Dr. Savel describes the process of drawing the subject from the photo on the surface of the wood. He demonstrates how the subject is draw in freehand, in pencil.
Size: 1.6M
Video 6: Carving the Wood
In this clip, Dr. Savel explains and demonstrates how he begins the wood carving process. He describes what specific techniques he uses to "bring out" the subject - and avoid potential problems.
Size: 8.5M
Video 7: Cleaning up the Carving
In this clip Dr. Savel explains and demonstrates how he "cleans up" the carving. He describes that this detailed final carving step, requiring a few hours of work, involves the use of very small carving chisels.
Size: 1.7M
Video 8: Painting the Carving
In this clip, Dr. Savel's describes and demonstrates his technique for painting the carving. As the clip shows, he always begins by painting the subject's halo in yellow.
Size: 6.0M
Video 9: Painting the Carving
In this clip, Dr. Savel explains and demonstrates how he paints the subject's face in the carving. He also talks about what he thinks about during this painting process.
Size: 5.2M
Video 10: Painting the Carving
In this clip, Dr. Savel explains and demonstrates how he paints the subject's clothing. He shares what he thinks about while painting the subject's clothing and the background of the carving.
Size: 4.3M
Video 11: Painting the Carving
In this clip, Dr. Savel shows how he completes the frame of the carving. He also explains what materials may be added to the carving after the completed carving is dry (e.g., wire).
Size: 1.4M
Video 12: Completed Carving
In this final clip, Dr. Savel shows the completed carving. Credits for the 12 clips (music, editing, etc.) are also shown.
Size: 1.2M
The Technique
The works are each carved in relief, from 10"x12"x1" basswood plaques, using only classic European-style long-shank hand chisels and gouges.

The frames are intrinsic as they are carved from the plaque itself. After the carving is completed, the colors are then applied, using artist's oil paints. When the paint is dry, other media are often added, such as wire, fiber and plexiglass.
Copyright © 2002-2012 Dr. Herbert Savel. All rights reserved.
 
     
christian louboutin salespink chi flat iron Christian Louboutin PumpsLouis Vuitton Bagsleather handbagsnike dunk high shoessexy bikinis salegucci bootstory burch on saleED Hardy Jeansdesigner sunglass