Relief carving  pares away the surface of the stone to leave the design standing slightly clear. They range from  shallow relief, where shadow lines create the image, to much deeper reliefs which are almost free-standing sculptures.

Using fine chisels, I gently remove the stone around the design. Wax polish can darken some areas as  a contrast. My work of this type uses mainly natural motifs. 

A while ago I  reproduced 'Belvoir Angels' like the one above - an early 18th Century tombstone motif which is unique to the South Nottinghamshire area where I used to live - sourcing the original Swithland slate from the waste-heaps of the old quarry.