Tiny Carvings, Incredible Detail: The Art of Netsuke with Sean Syman

Tiny carvings. Incredible detail. Carver Sean Syman joins The Modern Woodcarver Podcast to explore the art of netsuke and his approach to carving wood, bone, and antler.

In this episode, host Michael Gurrado talks with Sean about his creative journey—from early Pokémon carvings and guitar-making scraps to intricate, netsuke-inspired animal figures. Sean shares how moving from New Zealand to Canada helped spark his interest in carving, how his choice of materials has evolved, and why strong form matters long before the finishing details.

We discuss:

• Carving basswood, mahogany, walnut, and boxwood—and how working with bone and antler differs
• The tiny tools behind his detailed work, including a micromotor, gravers, scrapers, and custom tools
• His interest in combining animals with everyday objects such as teacups, books, barrels, and boats
• Using center lines, proportion checks, and negative space to develop a stronger carving
• The patience behind pieces that can take 100 hours to complete
• What draws him to netsuke and how the carving community has helped shape his work

Whether you enjoy woodcarving, miniature sculpture, animal carving, or experimenting with different materials, Sean offers a thoughtful look at the decisions behind every small piece.

What’s the smallest carving you’ve ever made? Let us know in the comments.

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TOOLS & SUPPLIES — AFFILIATE LINKS

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