Archive for November, 2017

Cut Your Own Carving Blanks

Cut Your Own Carving Blanks

Simple technique reduces the time you spend roughing out a carving by Mark Duginske This article was first published in issue 42 of Woodcarving Illustrated. Band saws tend to be one of the first power tools a new carver invests in. Carvers of all skill levels use the band saw to […]

by November 29, 2017 Techniques
Basic Relief Techniques

Basic Relief Techniques

Learn the fundamentals of carving in low relief by Chris Pye This article was first published in issue 43 of Woodcarving Illustrated. This design gives you the opportunity to practice low-relief carving. The technique is the same whether you are carving kanji characters, traditional letters, or pictorial designs. These kanji characters […]

Sharpening a Gouge

Sharpening a Gouge

Simple techniques produce a sharp cutting edge by Mac Proffitt This article was first published in issue 53 of Woodcarving Illustrated. It is possible to sharpen gouges with a flat stone, but I prefer to use a conical slip stone or gouge stone. Regardless of the stone you use, the goal […]

Undercutting around the beard adds shadow and depth.

Undercutting

Simple cuts add depth and shadows by Lora S. Irish This article was first published in issue 39 of Woodcarving Illustrated. A high relief carving depends on shadows and the illusion of depth. Undercutting helps you achieve this and has the added benefit of tucking the joint line underneath an element, which allows […]

Adding Subtle Color

Adding Subtle Color

Roughing and dry-brushing techniques add life to your carving without overpowering the wood by Lora S. Irish This article was originally published in issue 46 of Woodcarving Illustrated. In this project, I use stain, oil paint, and acrylic paint to enhance the project without obscuring the wood grain. This fun wood […]

by November 20, 2017 Finishing for Beginners, Get Started Carving
Hand Sharpening Made Simple

Hand Sharpening Made Simple

Tips for keeping your carving tools razor sharp by John Mignone and Roger Schroeder. This article was first published in issue 32 of Woodcarving Illustrated. Ask ten carvers how to sharpen a tool and you are bound to get ten different answers. But what is the right way to sharpen a […]

Tuning Your Tools

Tuning Your Tools

The basics of getting your tools into the best condition for carving and keeping them there by Chris Pye This article was first published in issue 37 of Woodworking Illustrated. Most carving tools that you buy today come “ready-sharpened,” and it comes as a surprise to students in my courses that the […]

Great Gifts for Magical Mayem

Great Gifts for Magical Mayem

Combine the magic of woodworking with…magic!   Thanks to the popularity of “Game of Thrones,” the longevity of Harry Potter, and a new “Lord of the Rings” TV series in the works, fantasy has gone mainstream. These artisan-created gifts were inspired by those and other mystical worlds. We hope they […]

by November 14, 2017 News
Pattern Making Made Easy

Pattern Making Made Easy

Use an app to find a pose, then add clothes By Dylan Goodson   I have two methods for designing new carvings. When I need to work out the pose, clothing, and details, I sculpt a clay model. (Click here for one method of creating a model.) But for a […]

by November 14, 2017 Techniques
Outdoor Finishes and Glues

Outdoor Finishes and Glues

Use the right products to ensure your outdoor projects last by Bob Duncan This version of this article was published in issue 67 of Woodcarving Illustrated. When you carve or build something for outdoor display, you want it to last, whether it’s a sign or a garden decoration. Ordinary indoor finishes […]

by November 13, 2017 Finishing for Beginners, Get Started Carving