The Craft
From your photo to a hand-carved original.
Send a photo, approve the sketch on the panel, then the artist carves it by hand, line by line, into black wood. You see progress photos along the way, and it arrives framed and ready to hang.
- 100% hand-carvedno print, no laser
- Sketch firstnothing is cut without your yes
- Progress photosat every stage
- Framedblack solid wood, ready to hang
- Insuredworldwide shipping
What Is a Wood Relief Engraving?
The light is carved out of the dark.
Each piece starts as a wood panel coated in solid black. With fine blades, the artist cuts thousands of lines into the surface. Wherever the black is lifted away, the warm grain of the wood shows through.
Short, dense strokes become soft fur. Long, deep cuts become a mane or a highlight in the eye. Because every line is a real cut in the wood, the surface has a subtle relief you can see when light falls across it.
- 100+
- Hours in a large piece
- 1
- Original panel
- 0
- Copies, ever
Step by Step
How your piece is made.
Seven stages, from your photo to your wall. Steps marked You need a moment of your time; everything marked Studio is in the artist’s hands.
01You
Send your photo
Upload a clear photo of your pet, a wild animal you love, or a person. Add any notes: an expression you love, a marking you want us to get right.
We reply within 24 hours with suitable sizes and a quote.
02You
Choose your size
Pick the panel size that suits your wall. Larger panels allow finer detail and take longer to carve.
Not sure? We will suggest a size based on your photo and your space.
03Studio
Panel & sketch
A wood panel is prepared and coated in black. The artist then lays out the composition directly on the panel and sends you a photo of the sketch.
You approve the sketch, or ask for changes. Nothing is carved without your yes.
04Studio
Carving, line by line
Carving always begins with the eyes. Once the gaze feels alive, fur, mane and light are built outward, one cut at a time, entirely by hand.
This is the longest stage. A large piece can take more than 100 hours.
05You
Progress photos
You receive photos along the way, so you can watch your piece slowly appear out of the dark.
Small adjustments can still be discussed while the work is in progress.
06Studio
Finishing & framing
The finished engraving is checked in raking light, cleaned and framed in black solid wood, ready to hang.
You see the finished piece before it is packed.
07You
Delivered to your door
Every piece is packed with corner protection and shipped insured worldwide, with tracking from our studio to your wall.
Follow it any time on our Track Your Order page.
Behind the Scenes
Watch a piece being carved.
Your Photo
What makes a great photo.
Carving is all about light and detail, so the clearer the photo, the more life we can bring into the wood.
Works best
- Taken in daylight or a bright room
- Eyes sharp and in focus
- Taken at eye level
- The original file, not a screenshot
- The whole animal in frame if you want a full-body piece
Try to avoid
- Blurry or heavily zoomed-in photos
- Strong filters or colour effects
- Harsh shadows across the face
- Very small images from messaging apps
- Eyes hidden by fur, glare or sunglasses
Not sure about your photo? Send it to us before you order. We will tell you honestly what can be carved from it.
Our Promise
Nothing is carved until you say yes.
- A sketch first. You see the composition on the panel before any carving begins.
- Progress photos while your piece is being carved.
- 100% by hand. Never printed, laser-cut or reproduced.
- Your photos stay private, used only to create your artwork.
- Framed and insured, shipped worldwide with tracking.
Questions
Good to know
How long does a commission take?
It depends on the size and the detail in your photo. A large piece can take more than 100 hours of carving alone. We confirm the timeline with your quote, before you order.
Is it really carved by hand?
Yes. Every line is cut by hand into the wood panel by the artist. Nothing is printed, traced by machine or laser-cut.
Can I ask for changes?
Yes, at the sketch stage. Once carving has started, a cut cannot be undone, so take your time with the sketch. Small adjustments can still be discussed while the work is in progress.
Can you carve people, or several animals together?
Yes. We carve pets, wild animals and people, and can combine subjects from different photos into one composition for you to approve.
How is it shipped?
Framed, packed with corner protection and shipped insured worldwide, with tracking.
Where is my order?
Check it any time on our Track Your Order page with your order number and email.
Ready to see it in wood?
Start with a photo. You will see the sketch on the panel before a single line is carved.
Start a Commission Ask a Question
A limited number of commissions each month
