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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Learn to tune this difficult-to-sharpen tool by Charles Berold This article was first published in issue 41 of Woodcarving Illustrated. Many carvers find sharpening V-tools a challenge. Most traditional methods focus on treating each side of the V as a straight chisel, but there are several steps leading up to the […]
An introduction to the tools used in traditional woodcarving by Chris Pye I carve in what might be called the traditional manner. It is sometimes referred to as European. The tools of my trade consist of variously shaped gouges, chisels, and so on. I don’t often use knives, which […]
Use simple methods to secure your blank for easier and safer carving by Chris Pye After sharpening your tools, how you hold your work has the most direct, mechanical bearing on your carving experience. Traditional European woodcarving uses both hands to guide the tools, so carvings must be securely […]
Use wood molding to practice sharpening techniques, before you work on your tools by Andre Breau For beginners, sharpening a carving tool usually means one of two things: taking the tool to a professional to sharpen, or risking the expensive tool practicing their sharpening technique. The National Woodcarving School […]
Improve your carving efficiency with an understanding of wood grain by Everett Ellenwood The way the wood grain lays in a piece of wood will affect every cut you make in every carving you do. The direction of the cut in a piece of wood will determine if you […]
