relief carving techniques

High relief (the sculpture is almost detached from the background), semi-relief, low relief, and bas-relief (similar to scratches on the surface of the artwork). There are also line relief and intaglio. The former refers to engraved relief, similar to an engraving; the latter is relief carved in the opposite direction, deep beneath the surface of the background.

High relief and low relief are the most common carving techniques. High relief generally refers to reliefs with layered compression, where the ratio of the thickness of the single image from the starting line to the actual thickness of the relief surface exceeds two-fifths. Suitable for viewing from one side. Low relief generally refers to reliefs with layered compression, where the ratio of the thickness of the single image from the starting line to the actual thickness of the relief surface is approximately one-tenth or less. Similar to a flat sculpted picture. Suitable for viewing from one side.