If you have mastered bowl turning, and are now looking to creature a textured bowl with some sculptural flair, but don't know where to start, you've come to the right place.
Turning the bowl is easy, once you know how. But adding decoration, texturing and colouring, can be tricky if you don't know where to start.
In this article we share some useful video guides and articles which can help you create beautiful bowls in no time.
In this section we share some video guides and demonstrations to create textured bowls using a flexi drive and abrasive burr attachments to create a bobbled surface effect. Colour is also applied for a stunning, highly decorative, finished look.
To perfect your textured look it takes time and a lot of patience. Here are a few tips to consider.
1. The tools - there are several methods that could be used to add some form of embellishment - using a specialist texturing tool on the lathe, hand carving tools, mini power carving tools, or a rotary tool fitted with Saburr Tooth burrs.
2. Which timber to use - a pale, bland timber is an ideal choice. In the UK sycamore is the perfect choice. It's a pale wood that is not too hard, which means it will cut easily. The close grain structure will result in a good clean finish.
3. Practice! Before taking your tools to your bowl, practice your techniques and effects on a flat piece first. This is a great way to try different things to get the look you want. You could even draw on to your bowl the pattern or design you want to create, to help you.
4. Think about how to hold your workpiece - you can use the lathe banjo, keep it in the chuck or use a carving mount to hold your work piece in place.
5. Take your time - these kind of decorative processes can take time, so take a break to ensure you don't strain your hands.
6. Remember to wear a dust mask and visor - power carving or sanding processes can create a lot of dust.
For more guidance and decorative inspiration, watch these tutorials from our expert turners.
In this demonstration Jason uses a rotary tool and Saburr Tooth burrs to produce a cratered, bobble effect to a bowl rim. He then uses a dry brush technique to apply the finishing colours. This is a simple technique using a dry brush to apply minimal colour to build up delicate layers.
The Gentleman Woodturner, AKA Mark Beckett, gives his take on a textured rim bowl, using similar techniques. With his bowl, Mark airbrushes the rim for a quick and easy paint finish.
In this video demonstration, Jason shows you how to use specialist surface decoration tools to create spiralling patterns, indents and other effects on the lathe.
Here are some more simple decorative ideas to help embellish your bowls or other turning projects.
If you have had a go at these decorative texturing techniques on your bowls, we would love to see it. Share your pictures on social media. Search and tag @axminstertools on Facebook or Instagram and share your pictures. Or upload to our online gallery.
