help getting started

[sforl]

Ok here's my problem! I have some 1"x7"x12" blanks of basswood and 2 nice pieces of cottonwood bark. I also have a few tools that I've manage to accumulate over the past few months. Since I don't have access to a teacher I will be learning on my own as I go, not the ideal way to learn I realize, but it's my only option. I bought Mark Gargacs DVD on carving woodspirits, but it seems a little ambitious at this point so I'll save the cottonwood until a later date.
I seem to have analysis paralysis :}. I fear I'm just going to ruin this perfectly good wood and have nothing to show in the end. I hate to waste wood! I did carve a couple of stylized birds and did two flower relief carvings from Everett Ellenwood"s DVD, but want to find something that would challenge me a little more.
The carving projects in WWI are great, but it seems I never have the appropriate tools that the project calls for and my budget for new tools is limited!
Maybe you guys could give me a push in the right direction!
Thanks

[tucker1931]

Sfori, don't worry about the tools thing, just pick up yer knife and have at it. I'm 78 years of age, just started a little over a year and a half ago and I can pretty well carve anything. Mind you, I'm certainly not a pro, but yer not supposed to be a pro when yer startin out, just pick a subject (try Genes flat plane tutorials on youtube) and you'll be off and running. Make mistakes, we all did, just be safe and keep all yer fingers where they belong, on the end of yer hand. Got to it and good luck. Just remember, nobody's judging you, yer just having fun.
Cliff

[Larry Marshall]

You might rethink that 'don't want to waste wood' thought. Learning to carve is a useful, not wasteful thing. Any wood used in the process is not wasted and the cost of the wood is hardly going to break the bank. If you read the thread I just started on practicing, I used scraps cut off as I created rough-outs. Cost was/is minimal - benefit great.

[sforl]

Thanks everyone. I have been carving some of Gene's YouTube caricatures which are alot of fun,but would like to do more relief carving. Are there any step by step tutorials on relief carving on Youtube?
I have been practicing making stop and release cuts and using the various gouges and v-tools, but I'm a very project oriented person. I want something more purposeful to carve.

[twilli227]

sforl, what tools do you have? I just started relief carving in December. I purchased the "Little Shavers" palm tool kit. It does not have a lot of the gouges that are mentioned when following someones book, but I have been able to do a fair job with what I have.
I have been purchasing full size gouges, and for the bigger reliefs that I am now doing, they have made it easier and faster.

Here is a Youtube that might help:

YouTube - Spirit Williams--Illusions in wood-- Part 1

Todd

[sforl]

I have some Pfeil and HT tools. I also have a 5 piece set of Powergrip chisels.

[Robby]

sforl, if you look at my recent post in this "beginner" section under fridge magnets, you will see a photo of real easy flower shaped fridge magnets that don't take much material to make and you don't really need a lot of tools neither. Don't ever look at messing up as wasting wood, if you learn from your mistakes/bad projects, it's not a waste.

[twilli227]

sforl, you might want to read this post:

several posts in one

Mark Yundt has made several posts about using one size(shape) gouge in place of another size(shape).

Hope this helps>

Todd

[James A]

Ivan Whillock has a dvd on making a leaf, flower, and an acanthus carving for around $30. There is also a section over sharpening your tools. He mainly uses tools such as a v-tools and various other tools. I don't know if it uses tools you have or not, but it did help me some.

[Dan S]

Don't sweat the tools, just start making chips. You really don't need all that many. You can do a great deal with a good knife. Most of us accumulate too much stuff.

Dan