Types of Brick Carving Techniques

Mr. Liang Sicheng once said, "At the beginning of art, sculpture takes the lead." Sculpture, as a branch of modeling craft, encompasses the three techniques of carving, engraving, and modeling. Brick carving skillfully applies traditional Chinese sculpting techniques, continuously innovating to create unique processes such as mold-burning, flat carving, openwork carving, inlaid carving, and embedded carving.

1. Mold Burnishing

Mold burning is an early method used in brick carving. It involves first carving the design to be depicted onto a mold, then pressing the mold onto the wet brick clay, and finally firing it in a kiln. The mold is in reverse (negative) relief, and the impression on the brick is in positive (raised) relief; conversely, if the mold is in positive relief, the brick will show a negative impression. The finished products with negative relief are produced before those with positive relief.

2. Flat Carving

Flat carving refers to patterns that are entirely on a single plane, creating a sense of form through orderly lines of varying thickness and tension. It is commonly used in depicting floral and other linear patterns that dominate the design.

3. Relief carving

Relief sculptures, where the carved patterns are not on a single plane, create relatively complete three-dimensional or semi-three-dimensional images with protruding lines and masses. Depending on the degree of relief, there are low reliefs (also known as shallow reliefs or thin reliefs) and high reliefs (also known as raised reliefs). Generally, reliefs with more than half of their surface in relief are considered high reliefs, while those with less than half are low reliefs. To emphasize the theme and depict the dynamic nature of the subject, various lines are often used to outline the details on the raised surfaces of the reliefs, making the images more intricate. This technique is suitable for depicting complex designs with figures and narrative elements.

4. Openwork carving

Engraved reliefs, a form of sculpture that falls between round sculptures and bas-reliefs, emphasize three-dimensional figures more than bas-reliefs do. Although the technique is similar to that of bas-reliefs, it is more intricate and requires greater craftsmanship. Bas-reliefs only reveal part of the image, while engraved reliefs reveal most, if not all, of it. This method allows for the carving of patterns in multiple layers, with局部镂空 techniques enhancing the viewing experience. Engraved reliefs offer greater transparency and a stronger sense of space than other methods.

5. Round Sculpture

Round Sculpture, a completely three-dimensional art form with a solid volume, can be appreciated from various angles.

6. Transfer Printing and Inlaid Carving

Glue carving and inlaid carving involve bonding or tenon techniques to add one or more carved bricks onto a pre-carved brick surface. This not only enlarges the spatial scale and depth of the image but also combines various techniques such as round carving, bas-relief, inlaid carving, and line carving, creating a dynamic rise and fall and a full composition, achieving an artistic effect of "a range seen from the side appears as a peak." This technique originated from the Qing Dynasty artist Ma Shunqing of Tianjin.