[gypsy]

I am a beginner interested in relief carving. I would like to purchase a book to guide me. I have read about the books of Jeremy Williams and Chris Pye but don't know which to order. Is there a better one? Regards.

[mdallensr]

I have books by both authors, and several of Chris Pye's books. Chris Pye is a great instructor, so I favor his books for leaning to carve. Mike Davies has a book with a lot of detailed patterns, and Susan Irish's book of carving patterns is a real inspiration for those of us who lack artistic ability. I started a carving based on one of her patterns last night. Rick Butz is another good instructor/author. Mike

[Thor]

I also carve relief, and found Richard Butz to be extremely helpful when first learning.
This forum is you best source for information as well. any question you may have.
Thor

[pileo'chips]

I have found that the best thing for me was to view other carvers

[RussL.]

I have several Chris Pye books & his recent DVDs and am a big fan.

Having said that, if you are only going to get onebook than Richard Butz's beginner book is the one to get...but I cou d never have settled for just one book! :-)

I've only been carving for about a year and I have almost as many books on the subject as I have tools...and many more books than I have finished carvings! ;-)

Nora Hall & Ivan Whillock relief carving videos are great, too.
Nothing beats actually watching someone carve...even if it's just a video.

All the best,

RussL.

[gypsy]

Thanks for the recomendations. I found Mary Duke Guldan's "The Complete Beginners Woodcarving Workbook" at the library. Perfect for me.

[hruukki]

I go with DVD:s as well - to see the movements is a great help for a beginner like me. Several sources and different instructors never hurt. Books usually have more projects but the step-by-step stage is definitely better to do with DVD:s. I tried both and it was the DVD that set me straight.