A short list of books on
various areas of relief carving
If you want to carve
decorative scrolls, shells, ball and bead
molding--designs appropriate for boxes and furniture, this is
a good, classical beginning. Available from Dover.
Here Bob lays out a cougar pattern--and later an Indian and shows his techniques for carving them. His techniques are unorthodox. Careful, Ivan! I do not mean that as a slam, only to point out that one looking for traditional techniques would not find them here (as opposed to Sayers, Keilhofer and ?, for example). The step-by-step photos are clear and well placed. Schiffer.
The book contains 21 floral patterns with a brief description of technique. A photo of each carving is included across the page from the pattern. Veteran Chip Chats readers are familiar with Mack Sutter's patterns. Mack was self-taught and used techniques he developed himself. Sadly, he died recently. (Dover)
If you don't yet have the book, why not? At least support your leader! The book is handsomely done with patterns carefully measured, and photos well done. The patterns are router accessible because most of the levels are parallel to the original surface. Bill has a clean, crisp carving style. But, hey, you all know that!
George was trained in the European tradition. Here he demonstrates carving an oak leaf.) Schiffer?
George carves a leaping deer (don't have the book in front of me to describe it fully.) Schiffer?
Here Ivan carves a "carving
school project" using traditional techniques. The book concentrates
on process in order to introduce various techniques to the beginner.
Right-left grain orientation, two-handed carving, tool-specific
cuts, the concave and convex function of gouges, etc.
Introduces the four steps of relief carving: grounding out, layering, shaping, and detailing. Two-handed carving is shown. Step by step instruction for four patterns: leaves, a horse's head, bear in a stream, and an Indian Brave. There's a pattern and completed picture for thirteen others.
Here the charlatan carver chewshis way through four lessons, carving trees, a profile face, a front view face, and a two-point perspective building. There are 16 additional projects and patterns.
Available from any of your well-stocked carving shops, (throw you business to the folks on the list) or, in some cases, autographed copies are available directly from the authors (For those of you who want somebody else's name scrawled in YOUR book!).
Ivan Whillock
Ivan Whillock Studio, Faribault MN
carve@whillock.com
Visit my web page http://www.whillock.com