Creating sculptures with a striking contrast between light and dark areas requires carefully selected wood types that highlight natural tonal variations. Here are the top woods for achieving this artistic effect:

1. Ebony – Known for its deep black hue, ebony contrasts beautifully with lighter woods or when carved to reveal subtle grain patterns.

2. Maple – Pale and smooth, maple provides a bright canvas that darkens elegantly when stained or paired with darker woods.

3. Walnut – Rich chocolate tones with occasional lighter streaks make walnut ideal for dynamic, high-contrast carvings.

4. Zebrawood – Named for its bold, alternating light and dark stripes, this wood creates dramatic visual impact naturally.

5. Wenge – Dark brown with near-black streaks, wenge offers a striking backdrop for detailed sculptural work.

For sculptors, combining woods like ebony and maple can enhance contrast further, while finishes like oil or wax deepen natural tones. Choose tight-grained woods for fine details and open-grained varieties for bold textures. Experimentation is key to mastering light and dark interplay in wood sculpture.