Articles by: magintern

The Design Process

The Design Process

Taking a caricature from concept to completion by Marv Kaisersatt This article was first published in issue 38 of Woodcarving Illustrated. By relying on commercially available patterns, your scope of subjects is very limited. It’s actually quite simple to design your own caricature by determining proportions and positions with models before beginning the […]

Clean Joint Lines For Relief Carvers

Clean Joint Lines For Relief Carvers

Tips and tricks to clean up difficult areas in a relief carving by Lora S. Irish This article was first published in issue 38 of Woodcarving Illustrated. Clean joint lines are the first problem a budding relief carver runs into. If your joint lines are not sharp and clean, the whole […]

Tap the steel punch with a hammer to leave a textured impression.

All About Punches

Add texture and designs to your carving with these simple tools by Roger Schroeder This article was first published in issue 46 of Woodcarving Illustrated. Essentially, a woodcarver’s punch is a steel texturing tool with a pattern engraved on its tip. Just when woodcarvers started to use them is unknown, although […]

by October 16, 2017 Get Started Carving, Tools for Beginners
Sharpening V-tools

Sharpening V-tools

Handy jig makes it easy to get a perfect edge by John English This article was first published in issue 43 of Woodcarving Illustrated. Sharpening V-tools can be challenging. WCI Holiday 2007 (issue #41) presented a simple technique for sharpening V-tools freehand. Many experts recommend learning to sharpen without the aid […]

Tool Control

Tool Control

Proper techniques for safe and efficient use by Chris Pye This article was first published in issue 39 of Woodcarving Illustrated. There is your piece of wood: a willing or unwilling victim of your designs, and then there’s you: intent and ready to carve. What’s in between? Your carving tools. We’ve […]

Paintbrush Basics

Paintbrush Basics

Guidelines for getting the most from your brushes by Vicki Rhodes This article was first published in issue 42 of Woodcarving Illustrated. In its simplest form, a paintbrush is a collection of fibers formed into a specific shape, then tied and glued to a handle. Making informed decisions when purchasing your […]

Maintaining a Sharp Edge

Maintaining a Sharp Edge

Strop your tools to keep them in top shape by Mac Proffitt This article was first published in issue 55 of Woodcarving Illustrated. Regular tool maintenance prevents hours of time spent sharpening. A properly maintained edge needs to be sharpened on a stone only if you damage the edge. Proper tool […]

Sawing Carving Blanks

Sawing Carving Blanks

Speed up the roughing-out process by cutting three views with your band saw by Jim Willis This article was first published in issue 52 of Woodcarving Illustrated. I draw the front, top, and side views of my design on the carving blank. This way, I make sure all of the major […]

Preparing Your Carving for Paint

Preparing Your Carving for Paint

Choose the right technique for a perfect finish by Vicki Rhodes Carving by Dennis Thornton This article was first published in issue 45 of Woodcarving Illustrated. Many carvers paint their work with acrylic paints. Acrylic paints clean up with water while wet, dry quickly, and are waterproof when fully cured. For […]

Line Carving: Three Simple Styles

Line Carving: Three Simple Styles

Master the basics of drawing with a veiner by Chris Pye This article was first published in issue 42 of Woodcarving Illustrated. A line inscribed on the surface of the wood is probably the simplest form of carving. This artistic expression traces its origins back to some of the most primitive art […]

by September 29, 2017 Get Started Carving, Techniques for Beginners