Techniques

Photo Tips

Photo Tips

Want to make your carving project stand out in a photograph? Look no further! Click on the links below to views tips on how to better light, compose, focus, and size your photographs. CLICK HERE for tips about photo lighting. CLICK HERE for tips about photo composition. CLICK HERE for […]

by January 3, 2017 Techniques
The Rule of Three

The Rule of Three

Create accurate proportions in your figure carvings By Donald K. Mertz The rule of three is an easy way to envision a human figure in a block of wood before and during the carving process. All human figures have the same basic elements. These elements need to be in proportion […]

by September 28, 2022 eNews: Strop Talk, Techniques
Woodcarving Wednesdays: How to Carve Rocks

Woodcarving Wednesdays: How to Carve Rocks

Since many of us are spending extra time indoors these days, it’s more important than ever to stay creative and busy. With that in mind, the team at Woodcarving Illustrated will be posting a free beginner-friendly project to our website every Wednesday. So grab a knife and let those woodchips […]

Woodcarving Wednesdays: Making a Simple Gnome

Woodcarving Wednesdays: Making a Simple Gnome

Since many of us are spending extra time indoors these days, it’s more important than ever to stay creative and busy. With that in mind, the team at Woodcarving Illustrated will be posting a free beginner-friendly project to our website every Wednesday. So grab a knife and let those woodchips […]

Woodcarving Wednesdays: Carving Hair in Cottonwood Bark

Woodcarving Wednesdays: Carving Hair in Cottonwood Bark

Since many of us are spending extra time indoors these days, it’s more important than ever to stay creative and busy. With that in mind, the team at Woodcarving Illustrated will be posting a free beginner-friendly project to our website every Wednesday. So grab a knife and let those woodchips […]

Woodcarving Wednesdays: Painting Stone Texture

Woodcarving Wednesdays: Painting Stone Texture

Since many of us are spending extra time indoors these days, it’s more important than ever to stay creative and busy. With that in mind, the team at Woodcarving Illustrated will be posting a free beginner-friendly project or technique to our website every Wednesday. So grab a knife and let […]

Scottish St. Nick

Scottish St. Nick

Santa dons a matching kilt and cap for his holiday in the Highlands This web extra accompanies the full article by Don Swartz in Winter 2019 Santa is a well-traveled individual! As such, we imagine he picks up fashions from some of his favorite places. In Don Swartz’s carving, he […]

by October 3, 2019 Holiday Carving, Techniques
Carving a Woman’s Mouth

Carving a Woman’s Mouth

Simple techniques to make attractive, feminine lips By Harold Enlow Many carvers add beards and mustaches to avoid carving lips and mouths. If you plan to carve a woman, though, it’s impossible to hide the lips. Learning these few simple steps for carving lips allows you to carve any face. […]

by July 5, 2018 Techniques
The Art of Fire with Bob Swain

The Art of Fire with Bob Swain

Create a worn, antiqued look for your carvings by finishing with flames By Curtis Badger Photography by Tom Badger This article originally appeared in Woodcarving Illustrated Spring 2006 (Issue 34). Bob Swain spends days carving an intricate dragon from 10 separate pieces of white cedar. Finally, with the pieces assembled, the form […]

by April 11, 2018 Features, Techniques
Carving an Eye

Carving an Eye

Define any style of eye with four simple V-cuts By Harold Enlow Photography by Scott Kreiner   Eyes add expression and character to a carving. Many folks struggle with carving eyes, so they paint the eyes on their carvings. But this often requires the entire carving to be painted. Because […]

by April 10, 2018 Techniques, Techniques for Beginners
Toxic Woods

Toxic Woods

Most woods are safe, but a few common woods can cause some serious health problems. Print out this quick reference chart to keep yourself safe. By Charlie Self Dust masks and air cleaners are on the list of necessary tools in most shops, but research shows that some woods are […]

by January 23, 2018 Materials for Beginners, Techniques