An Interview with Woodcarver Patrick Damiaens | Heraldicum Disputationes Heraldic Magazine | Heraldic Woodcarver - Sculptor

 

Heraldic Woodcarver-Sculptor

An Interview with Woodcarver Patrick Damiaens 

 Heraldicum Disputationes Heraldic Magazine 

In March 2026, a very extensive 45-page bilingual (NL/ENG) supplement on the work of heraldic sculptor and woodcarver Patrick Damiaens was published exclusively for subscribers to Heraldicum Disputationes.

This separate magazine was published alongside the March issue of this quarterly, the only Flemish journal dedicated to heraldry.

www.patrickdamiaens.info

Crest (Heraldry) carved in wood | Heraldic sculpture | Heraldic beast

Crest (Heraldry) carved in wood  

Heraldic sculpture

2024, a commission from a Canadian client to craft a crest in lime wood. What is a crest? 

This carving/sculpture is part of an existing family coat of arms and, as the word suggests, is depicted/placed on top of the helmet.  

It can be something very simple, such as a star, tree or flower... ... or something more complex, such as a lion, dragon or griffin... The choice of crest designs seems limitless.

To give you a better visual impression, the image below shows a number of family crests that I have created in the past, with the black arrow indicating the crest.

The black arrow indicates the crest.
(Bas-relief | family coat of arms carved in wood)

It is rare for a client to order a helmet crest as a freestanding sculpture. 

This requires a completely different technique and approach than creating a helmet crest in bas-relief, which I have done many times for traditional family coats of arms. 

A heraldic sculpture is carved all around, it is a freestanding object and it requires a completely different carving technique and approach than I am used to.

A sculpture naturally requires thicker wood and, as my studio (and machines) are not suitable, I had to use the services of a furniture maker. 

Securing it to the workbench (a workbench that is lower than normal) is one such variation. For carving bas-reliefs, “at elbow height” (115 cm, for me) is most recommended, and carving a sculpture at (80 cm) height (for me) is most ideal.

Securing the block of wood to be worked on to the workbench also requires a completely different technique than for bas-relief and low-relief carving.

 I always start with rough cutting, at this stage I sometimes use a chainsaw, securing it to the workbench with a figure screw.

Large pieces can be removed without much effort and, for an initial rough design, this figure screw, which is attached under the sculpture and through the workbench, is, in my opinion, the most ideal start. 

Figure screw for statues

Heraldic sculptures are secured to the workbench

using a figure screw.

At a later stage (refining), we switch to the ball-and-screw clamp system. This clamp allows the sculpture to be rotated in all directions, enabling the woodcarver to refine the sculpture in the most ideal way.

Sculpture-heraldic beast clamped onto the ball clamp block 

ideal positions for refining the statue.

Here are a few stages in

 carving a heraldic sculpture 

(Heraldic beast)

LION

Converting sculpture 

from figure screw to ball clamp.

Base

The base of the sculpture? 

A fellow woodturner made this for me; his workshop is picture perfect. 

Wings

Tail

Heraldic beast-crest is finished

Crest (Heraldry) carved in wood  |
Heraldic sculpture | Heraldic beast

https://www.patrickdamiaens.info

A family coat of arms or crest in wood | Have a family coat of arms made in wood | Heraldry in wood

A company logo carved in wood | G3 Engineering Australia
Have a family coat of arms with shield holders made in wood 

A number of family crests and coats of arms in wood that I have created in recent years. Usually these heraldic sculptures are done in lime wood and sometimes they are given heraldic colours, but mostly they remain uncoloured.

Heraldic Family Arms carved in wood is one of my specialities. It is always a personal challenge to be allowed to carve a family coat of arms in wood. Heraldry in wood is a very interesting subject and I also always look forward to being able to start a new commission for a heraldic family crest in wood.

You get to know interesting people who fascinate you with each 'their' fascinating family story or history. And for me personally, it is always nice to hear that they appreciate my craftsmanship and quality enormously.

Every heraldic coat of arms is different. It usually starts with an example as a source of inspiration that is provided by the client in the form of a drawing, old sketch or even by a signet ring. Our clientele consists of private individuals or nobility, but it also sometimes happens that the order comes from an institution, association or company.

A number of family crests and coats of arms in wood 

that I have created in recent years.

A client from Austin, Texas US.
The coat of arms carved in wood | THORNTON family

Heraldic shield carved in wood, a client from Northern Ierland.

Coat of arms in wood, The REIJNDERS family, Netherlands.

Coat of arms with shield holders carved in wood |
The LOENEN family coat of arms, Netherlands.

Coat of arms Elenbaas family carved in wood, Netherlands

Heraldic shield carved and painted.
The LONGLUNE family, Belgium

Heraldic shield carved on a plate.
The VAN DIEVOET family, Belgium

Coat of arms in wood of a Portugese client.

Coat of arms carved in wood, partly painted.
Bellotti, Switzerland

Coat of arms carved in wood & painted.
The ENGELHARDT coat of arms, Switzerland

Coat of arms of a client from Hong Kong
Carved in wood & painted ( technique stone finish )

https://www.patrickdamiaens.info