Wood carvers masterfully create the illusion of depth in shallow reliefs through a combination of technical skill and artistic tricks. One key technique is undercutting, where the artist angles cuts beneath raised areas to cast shadows, making elements appear to project forward. Gradual depth variation is another method—carvers subtly change the carving depth across the surface to suggest distance, with foreground elements cut deeper than background ones.

Texture plays a crucial role too. By varying tool marks and surface finishes, carvers differentiate objects in space; smoother areas seem farther away while rougher textures appear closer. Strategic shading with stains or paints enhances this effect, with darker tones receding and lighter ones advancing.

Perspective manipulation is equally important. Carvers employ foreshortening and size gradation, making nearer objects proportionally larger. The clever use of overlapping forms creates layered depth, while precise detailing in foreground elements draws the viewer's focus.

These techniques, combined with the natural play of light across the carved surface, allow even shallow reliefs to achieve remarkable three-dimensionality, proving that depth in wood carving is as much about perception as physical dimension.