Undercuts are a masterful technique used by carvers to transform flat surfaces into dynamic, lifelike sculptures. By carefully carving recessed areas beneath protruding elements, artists create shadows and highlights that simulate depth, making the artwork appear three-dimensional even from a single viewpoint.

In wood carving, undercuts allow delicate features like flower petals or drapery folds to appear paper-thin while maintaining structural integrity. Stone sculptors employ undercutting to separate limbs from torsos in figurative works, giving the illusion of space between forms. The technique demands precision—too shallow, and the effect is lost; too deep, and the material may weaken.

Modern carvers often use specialized tools like bent gouges or power carvers with angled bits to achieve clean undercuts. This method not only enhances visual depth but also invites viewers to move around the piece, discovering new details as lighting shifts across the carved negative spaces. From Renaissance marble masters to contemporary wood artists, undercutting remains an essential skill for creating sculptures that seem to breathe with dimensional realism.