Woodcarving is one of the most primal of human activities and with this helpful guide, the beginner can learn the basic skills to start enjoying this rewarding hobby. Full of helpful illustrations, advice and an introductory essay on woodwork.

Whether you're a woodcarver expanding your talents, a seasoned carver refining your skills, or a beginner newly introduced to this fulfilling craft, this is the only carving book you need. Brimming with expert instruction and 8 attractive step-by-step woodcarving projects, you'll learn all the classic carving styles and techniques along with the fundamentals of wood and tool selection, sharpening, creating a workspace, and finishing your completed work. Also included is a complete chapter on power carving.

The first step into a new craft can be overwhelming: Where to start? What tools to buy? What projects to begin with? Thanks to author and internationally acclaimed woodcarver Chris Pye, this guide is filled with everything a beginning woodcarver needs to know. Chris Pye's Woodcarving Course & Reference Manual is akin to having a one-on-one course with a master carver. You'll learn what to look for in a workbench, the importance of commissioning your carving tools – there's more to it than just sharpening! – and how to make exacting cuts and execute a variety of techniques. Like any good instructor, Pye includes practice exercises to make you comfortable with the tools and techniques so you can build your skills and carve with confidence. Pye's conversational teaching style will encourage you as you follow the step-by-step instructions and work on a number of motifs, as well as projects for low, high, and pierced relief, and in-the-round. With the help of Chris Pye, you'll learn to carve: four types of molding, a beautiful koi project in three levels of relief carving, a realistic baseball cap in-the-round, and a charming wren in-the-round.

There's nothing like culling hand-carved magic from a beautiful piece of wood, thanks to Alec LaCasse's Carving Faces from Wood! This fully illustrated, A-to-Z guide synthesizes LaCasse's hard-earned tips, shortening the learning curve so you can start carving a face in wood in no time. Thanks to its beautiful layout, this book presents wood carving faces at every stage--from selecting your tools and outlining a basic shape to smoothing out the texture of a face's fine hair. You'll even see which types of wood work best for carved wood faces, including the advantages and disadvantages of each. Or master different face types to suit your preferences. It might otherwise take years to learn how to carve a face in wood. But thanks to LaCasse's step-by-step instructions and photographs, you'll soon be finishing the detail of every nose, ear, and beard like a lifelong expert.

Do you find yourself drawn to wooden art carved with knives and wishing that you can create all the amazing projects you see each day? Do you want a step by step guide on how to get started with whittling to carve out awesome projects in no time? If so, then read on… Have you ever picked up a piece of wood and had that sudden moment where it is as though your mind opened up and you had a rush of inspiration on how to turn that wooden piece into something beautiful? If you have had these feelings, or you are simply interested in wood carving but do not know where to start, there’s good news for you. Wood carving can sometimes seem overwhelming. With all the hardware required, maneuvering of wood and high skills deployed to create amazing artworks out of wood, it can sometimes look like a too daunting task for you to approach. But what if there was a way for you to satisfy your desire to create stunning pieces out of wood without having to go through the long and tedious process of cutting, drilling holes, and fighting with heavy machinery? The way around this would be to get started with whittling. Although not as elaborate as full-blown wood carving, whittling is a process of creating amazing artworks and utilities out of wood, with the aid of smaller tools that are easily obtainable. This implies that with some patience, attention to detail, a whittling knife, and some time, you will be able to create simple woodwork that is both beautiful and useful to you. This book throws more light into the subject of wood whittling. As an ancient practice dating back to a very long time ago, whittling has evolved, and there is so much more that you can achieve with just your whittling knife and all the factors that have been mentioned above. Within the pages of this book you will; 1. Gain a better understanding of what whittling is all about and how it evolved. 2. Understand the therapeutic benefits of engaging in the art of whittling. 3. Be familiar with the tools you need to have a successful whittling project and how these tools are handled for the best results. 4. Gain insider secrets on the tips and tricks of executing successful whittling projects. 5. Be exposed to 20 whittling ideas that will help bring out your artistic and creative side to life. 6. Be privy to some of the most frequently asked whittling questions that will provide you with a deeper insight and further guidance into the art of wood carving with knives. …And a whole lot more! This book offers a crash course for beginners into the art of whittling. Even if you had no idea of the craft, by the time you are done with the knowledge within these pages, you should be up and ready to complete your first whittling project. It is not that difficult to create all those amazing woodwork you have wanted to create all this while with knives. With the knowledge hidden in this book, you are well covered. To access the wealth of knowledge in this book, simply get your copy RIGH NOW

Everything You Need to Know to Start Carving Wood or Hone Your Craft. Woodcarving, with its cultural roots in African, North American, and Oceanic cultures, has been a powerful art form for centuries. Woodcarving reviews this rich history, then focuses on the properties of various woods and the sculpting, sharpening, and finishing tools used on them. Various chapters are devoted to constructing the wood block, carving and handling wood, and finishing and displaying the piece. Anchoring and amplifying the lessons learned within this book are detailed demonstrations of the creation of six sculptures. With clear, lavishly illustrated hands-on instruction and exhaustive coverage of every aspect of woodcarving techniques, Woodcarving is the ideal handbook for beginning- to intermediate-level sculptors.

The first step into a new craft can be overwhelming: Where to start? What tools to buy? What projects to begin with? This guide is filled with everything a beginning woodcarver needs to know. This book is akin to having a one-on-one course with a master carver. You'll learn what to look for in a workbench, the importance of commissioning your carving tools-there's more to it than just sharpening!-and how to make exacting cuts and execute a variety of techniques. Like any good instructor, tony includes exercises to make you comfortable with the tools and techniques so you can build your skills and carve with confidence. His warm, conversational teaching style will encourage you as you follow the step-by-step instructions and work on a number of motifs, as well as projects for low, high, and pierced relief, and in-the-round. This resource is a collection of tips and tricks honed over many years, and will mentor newcomers and serious beginning woodcarvers alike. Novice crafters will find quick success and encouragement working on a number of carving motifs and three projects for both relief and in-the-round styles. For serious beginners eager to know more about a timeless craft, this go-to reference provides an answer to every question.