Woodcarving Illustrated
Woodcarving Illustrated
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]]>Carving and Finishing
Transfer the pattern to the blank using your preferred method, and carve the piece using an assortment of knives, gouges, and V-tools. Take your time on the delicate areas. Sand the surface, moving up progressively through the grits until you are satisfied. You can also leave it unsanded if you’d prefer for the carved facets to show. Finish as desired—for attractive hardwoods, you could use a natural finish such as Danish oil. For bland woods, we prefer stains or thinned acrylics. Let dry and display.
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The post Woodcarving Wednesday: Carve an Ivy Leaf Pendant With Giles Newman appeared first on Woodcarving Illustrated.
]]>In this week’s video, Giles Newman walks you through every step of carving an ivy leaf pendant in oak wood, using one of the pendant carving kits available now on his website. The video is an hour long, but the sound of his knife against the grain and the birds in the background make it a breeze to watch. To dive deeper into his process, be sure to watch this video, as well—Step 1: The Cut Out.
About the Author
Giles has a background in photography and graphic design, and a lifelong passion for the wilderness. Five years ago, he taught himself woodcarving as a way to spend more time in the small wooded area he manages in the mountains of North Wales. Using only an axe and a knife, he began carving wooden spoons from windfallen wood. Since the weather in the UK makes for a plentiful supply of naturally fallen wood, Giles found no need to seek alternative sources. He soon abandoned his life as a designer and photographer to pursue woodcarving full-time.
“I wanted to have a minimal impact on nature which in turn, I hope, serves to reinforce rather than undermine my creative intentions.”
Giles uses the natural features of wood, such as knots and other elements often considered imperfections, as a guide for creating. Instead of seeing the wood as a blank canvas and forcing his ideas into reality, Giles “finds and interprets the forms that already exist within.”
To learn more, visit Giles’ website, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
| Get the Summer 2020 issue: Purchase the IssueFor more articles like this, subscribe to Woodcarving Illustrated magazine. Magazine SubscriptionPlus! Get digital mini magazines in your e-mail between printed issues. Subscribe to Strop Talk |
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The post Americana Whale appeared first on Woodcarving Illustrated.
]]>By Vernon DePauw
Add a whimsical touch to your summer celebrations with this patriotic swimmer. I change the size and vary the pattern to make each one a little different than the last. Play around with the stars and stripes to make your own marine mammal.
Making the Whale
Enlarge the pattern as desired using a photocopy machine. Transfer it to the wood and cut the whale and stars with a band saw. Round the corners and carve the design using your preferred tools. Be sure to carve the entire surface or the finish will be uneven.
Paint the whale and stars with acrylic paints. To match the American flag, the first full stripe below the blue field should be white. When the paint is dry, seal the whale with clear satin varnish and once dry, distress it with sandpaper. Apply a coat of Minwax aged oak gel stain to antique the piece. Let the stain dry, and apply a top coat of clear satin varnish. Clip the heads off long straight pins to attach the stars. If you are mounting the whale on a base, drill holes for welding rods; otherwise, attach a hanger to the back.
For a 21″ wall hanging, enlarge the pattern 192%. For a 16″ whale to mount on a stand, enlarge the pattern 150%.
Whale Pattern
Materials & Tools
MATERIALS: • Basswood, 3/4″ (1.9cm) thick: whale & stars, 3 1/2″ x 11″ (8.9cm x 27.9cm) • Straight pins with the heads cut off: 3 each • Acrylic paint, such as Plaid Apple Barrel: true navy, white; such as Plaid FolkArt: cardinal red, bright yellow • Gel stain, such as Minwax: aged oak • Spar urethane varnish, • Oak, 1/2″ (1.3cm) thick: base, 4″ x 9″ (10.2cm x 22.9cm) (optional) • Copper welding rods, 1/8″ (3mm) dia.: 2 each 4″ to 5″ (10.2cm to 12.7cm) long (optional) • Hanger (optional) | TOOLS: • Band saw • #3 gouge: 5/8″ (16mm) • Carving knife • V-tool: 1/4″ (6mm) 60° • Drill with bit: 1/8″ (3mm) dia. The author used these products for the project. Substitute your choice of brands, tools, and materials as desired. |
About the Author
Vernon DePauw started carving in seventh-grade shop class and has been carving for pleasure and profit ever since. For more of his work, visit his website at www.vldwoodcarver.com.
| Get the Summer 2020 issue: Purchase the IssueFor more articles like this, subscribe to Woodcarving Illustrated magazine. Magazine SubscriptionPlus! Get digital mini magazines in your e-mail between printed issues. Subscribe to Strop Talk |
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The post Woodcarving Wednesdays: How to Carve Rocks appeared first on Woodcarving Illustrated.
]]>In this week’s video, longtime contributor and CCA member Bob Hershey demonstrates how to carve natural-looking rocks. Be sure to also watch Betty Padden’s video on how to paint realistic stone texture so you can take your carves to the next level!
Also, be sure to check out these fantastic new Fox Chapel books:
| Carving & Painting Adorable Animals in Wood by Desiree Hajny With helpful tips and notes throughout to capture a realistic yet playful essence of 12 animals, this advanced pattern book is perfect for woodcarvers looking to challenge their skills. |  |
 | Carving Creative Walking Sticks and Canes by Paul Purnell This book features 13 step-by-step projects for both intermediate and advanced woodcarvers, progressing from simple sticks to a couple of highly detailed and decorative cane heads. |
About the Author
Bob Hershey is a retired truck driver who began carving in 1982. He is a member of the Conewago Carvers and Lancaster County Woodcarvers clubs. He enters the local club shows; Artistry in Wood in Dayton, Ohio; and the Caricature Carvers of America competitions. Bob carves a great variety of subjects, and teaches classes in animal caricatures and themed bark houses. He lives in Lititz, Pa., with his wife, Debby.
| Get the Summer 2020 issue: Purchase the IssueFor more articles like this, subscribe to Woodcarving Illustrated magazine. Magazine SubscriptionPlus! Get digital mini magazines in your e-mail between printed issues. Subscribe to Strop Talk |
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The post Woodcarving Wednesdays: Making a Simple Gnome appeared first on Woodcarving Illustrated.
]]>In this week’s video, regular WCI contributor James Miller demonstrates how to carve and paint a simple, flat-plane gnome in one short sitting.
Interested in more? Check out Carving Flat-Plane Style Caricatures by Harley Refsal. Learn how to carve and paint charming caricatures in the traditional flat-plane style, with step-by-step instructions and 50 patterns.
Also, stay tuned for James Miller’s upcoming book, Carving Animals in the Flat-Plane Style—containing 16 step-by-step projects, from bears to squirrels to reindeer, as well as expert tips and detailed painting guides. Coming this fall and available for preorder now!
About the Author
James Miller started carving at the age of 11 under the tutelage of a supportive community education carving group. He has since become deeply immersed in the world of Scandinavian folk art. A software developer by trade, James enjoys the creative challenge of simplifying and abstracting forms in unique ways. For more of his work, visit Facebook.com/jrm.woodcarving.
| Get the Summer 2020 issue: Purchase the IssueFor more articles like this, subscribe to Woodcarving Illustrated magazine. Magazine SubscriptionPlus! Get digital mini magazines in your e-mail between printed issues. Subscribe to Strop Talk |
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The post Woodcarving Wednesdays: Whittle a Ladybug appeared first on Woodcarving Illustrated.
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There’s something magical about playing in the yard and having a ladybug crawl across your finger. Get in the summer spirit by making your own crimson critter with this fun and whimsical project by Sara Barraclough.
What You’ll Need:
Materials • Basswood, 1 3/4″ (4.5cm) thick: | Tools • Band saw |
Also, be sure to check out Weekend Whittling Projects. The booklet features step-by-step instructions, coordinating photography, and full-size patterns for a snail, bear, woodsman, and penguin. Author and talented woodcarver Sara Barraclough will guide you through each adorable project.
About the Author
Sara Barraclough lives in Southern Utah with her daughter. She started carving about two years ago to carry on her great-grandpa and great-great-grandpa’s carving legacy (they were Scandinavian master carvers). Find her on Etsy and Instagram @theclevercarver.
| Get the Summer 2020 issue: Purchase the IssueFor more articles like this, subscribe to Woodcarving Illustrated magazine. Magazine SubscriptionPlus! Get digital mini magazines in your e-mail between printed issues. Subscribe to Strop Talk |
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The post Book Review: Whittling in Your Free Time appeared first on Woodcarving Illustrated.
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Tom Hindes’ new whittling book is a winner for beginners
Best-selling author and whittling wizard Tom Hindes returns with another great book.
Whittling in Your Free Time is essential for any woodcarving novice, or even those who have a bit of experience and are looking to try something new. This must-have guide showcases a beginner-friendly flat-plane woodcarving style, and features 16 animal projects, each of which can be accomplished in just one short sitting. With simple step-by-step instructions, a dash of Tom’s witty humor, coordinating photography, and guidance on finishing each piece, Whittling in Your Free Time is a perfect resource for sharpening your carving skills.
Sean Syman, prolific carver and new WCI contributor, said the book is full of “nice, easy, approachable projects” and walks you through the “fundamentals of woodcarving.”
“One of the things I really appreciate is the mention of basic cuts you can do with your knife, and also the discussion of carving with the grain and how to best use woodgrain to your advantage,” he said.
Watch Sean’s full review here:
Sean Syman carved a dolphin from Tom Hindes’ latest book, Whittling in Your Free Time.
Sean grew up in New Zealand and enjoys making things with his hands, playing guitar, hiking, camping, sailing, and traveling. He currently lives in Toronto, Canada, and intends to explore the United States while living out of a camper van.
For his unique carvings, Sean uses a combination of woods—instead of paint— to achieve a natural contrast of tones. He enjoys working with hard woods like cherry, maple, and walnut, as well as the traditional basswood. A lot of his designs are inspired by Pokemon and other pop culture characters, and most recently, native birds from his homeland of New Zealand. To learn more about Sean and his carvings, visit Instagram @symanwoodcarving.
Buy the Book | Get the Summer 2020 issue: Purchase the IssueFor more articles like this, subscribe to Woodcarving Illustrated magazine. Magazine SubscriptionPlus! Get digital mini magazines in your e-mail between printed issues. Subscribe to Strop Talk |
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