a lot of the design templates on the site have this dashed lines overlay. Why?
updated 103023, adding a link. Also, 8/2/23. I changed “dotted lines” to “dashed lines” since I was wrong. I also added stuff and worked on the seo.
all the dashed lines seem odd...
Why do all of the designs on the site have dashed lines on the template? The solid outside line makes sense; it defines the edge of the block and can be set to 40”x 20” (or a little smaller, like 38″x 19″, just in case). But if you print out the template, even with a basic inkjet printer or a projector (opaque or overhead) to transfer the template drawing to a large sheet of paper, then the dashed lines don’t help at all.
The dashed lines come into play if you elect (or need) to carve the sculpture without a template. It’s far easier to accurately transfer a design to your ice if the design is broken into smaller, more manageable pieces. Prior to beginning your drawing on the ice, use a score stick and ice pick to mark off the lines on your block. If your block is standard size, your small dotted rectangles should measure 10”x 5”, but as long as you maintain the same proportions, then it doesn’t matter what size they are.
so when do the dashed lines help?
The dotted lines give you the option of using another transfer method if you can’t or don’t want to make a template. Templates are recommended, but there are circumstances where making one doesn’t help, such as if you don’t know what size ice blocks you’re dealing with until you get to where you’re carving. It’s also useful practice to try carving without a template once in a while.
I actually use the dashed lines, not in my everyday sculpting, but in the live demos that I usually do each year around Christmas. (The snake below was one of those.) Part of my schtick for these demos is that I don’t reveal what I’m sculpting until it’s obvious. (And maybe not even then!) So that means no templates. I’ll lightly draw whatever parts of the design that I need on the back of the block and I’ll often intentionally choose blocks that have a little cloudiness on one side, so that it will help hide what I’m sculpting.
As far as actually drawing on the ice, check out this entry about a very useful little tool called a Junichi saw…
I show up very briefly about halfway through this short video from the Abilene Zoo about their Christmas celebration. I’m working on a rhino ice sculpture (no template) and even wearing a goofy Frosty the snowman facemask :/
links and stuff
This post is listed on the ice sculpting techniques page, and you could also find photos and info from this entry on the ice sculpting secrets Instagram account or the facebook page. You can comment there as well as below. And if it won’t LET you comment below, then definitely comment on fb and/or IG, since those don’t shut down comments. Thanks!
