Wood Carving for beginners

[Kathy]

"I really think I'd like to try wood carving, but.....I have questions"

I've never carved before. How do I start?

Do I need a special kind of wood and where do I get it?

Will carving require a lot of tools before I can start?

Is a pattern used? How do I use it and where can I get them?

Do you have a simple project to help me get started?

I'm just a kid.......do I start the same way?

Answers to all of these questions as well as a tutorial and free patterns can be found at:

www.woodcarvers.org/faq.htm

[dlangland]

I tell you, Kathy, my dad has gotten so very good at wood carving so fast. For Christmas, in addition to other wood things, he made everyone a whittled 3-D icicle. I can't even describe them...a geometric pattern, which when I first him drawing and measuring out each inch of the patern on the wood, it much reminded me of when I create my own quilt patterns. It's hollowed all the way thru at specific points. They are so very intricate. I will cherish it always. Wish I had the patience for that, and if I only ever bought a camera, I would gladly take a pic for you. Deb

[kitaye]

HI Kathy. There are many kinds of carving. For starters there is decorative relief carving; chip carving; statue/decoy carving; and whittling.

Depending on your interests you can spend as little or as much money as you want on tools. Relief carving requires carving tools. You can start with one or two but you'll find the more the merrier. Chip Carving requires a chip carving blade. Whittling and small 3d carving can be done using a knife. Many a project has been completed with a decent pocket knife and a sharpening stone.

To a beginner I would suggest starting with basswood. It is soft and easy to carve. It's also available at most craft stores for a resonable price. As you get better and want to add more detail you move into the harder woods such as Butternut, Walnut, Cherry, Apple, and even the exotics like Purple Heart or Zebra Wood. Each wood is suited to different styles of carving.

A few interesting links:
www.leevalley.com - tools and some woods
www.chippingaway.com - tools, some woods, porject boxes
www.carvingpatterns.com
www.woodcarvingillustrated.com - magazine but does have some online tips