New Carver Searching for Patterns/Ideas

kykarver · #1 05-15-2006, 01:36 AM

Greetings, my name is Josh and I reside in Eastern Kentucky. I've just started carving and have been blessed with a Case "Sod-Buster" carving knife, knife sharpener, a Stanley chisel set, a rasp, and some rough and fine grit sandpaper. It was a birthday gift from my wife and mother.
I haven't had a chance to use my tools too much, but have started on a walking stick of what I think is either oak or maple (really not for sure yet). I used a drawing knife to rough out the walking stick, remove bark and stuff. The drawing knife was a tool my Papaw used to use to make tobacco sticks. I remember using it when I was much younger, so it takes me back.
The week after my birthday, my mother and father-in-law also sent me a wonderful birthday present. Two large and two small pieces of basswood/linden, which I'd heard through some research was a really easy carving wood. As of yet I've completed one project, a small guitar pick holder. I don't know if it's procrastination or the pressure to come up with something creative, but I've sorta hit a wall on what to sculpt outta my basswood. Any ideas?

mark faggion · #2 05-15-2006, 05:41 AM

welcome i am a new carver to i wood finds some carving books that you like and sit down and see what you can come up with as a new carver myself i like walking sticks the best iam working on a walking stick for my fater in law for fathers day its a morale mushroom and i have done a few other sticks eagale head.if i can help just drop me a line. mark

kykarver · #3 05-15-2006, 05:49 AM

Hey, thanks for the tip! I've already got one book that I borrowed from the local library called "Whittling" and it's proven to be pretty helpful. Guess I could grab some patterns from it.

Phaeton · #4 05-15-2006, 06:32 AM

Hi kykarver,
Here is a nice small project from Rick, it's great for those small bits of wood you have left.

Bill

http://www.littleshavers.com/Ornament.html

kykarver · #5 05-15-2006, 07:32 AM

Very nice! Looks nice and challenging for us beginners...but very rewarding come Christmastime!

whitecree · #6 05-15-2006, 10:54 AM

Just search through this forum - especially the gallery - and you'll get all sorts of ideas to try out. You could also type the words "woodcarving patterns" into your search bar, then spend the next couple of hours wading through all the stuff that will turn up.

Hit your local library, and visit the kid's section. Find some early-age story books that have lots of drawings in them, like Dr. Seuss. Some caricature inspirations right there.

Doug Ridley · #7 05-15-2006, 11:07 AM

Subscribe to Wood Carving Illustrated magazine and Chip Chats magazine. You will get more ideas than you can ever carve.

Phaeton · #8 05-15-2006, 01:10 PM

I'm already working on next year's gifts..lol

Here are a few more from WCI, they have a little bit of everything.

Bill
http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.co...-downloads.php

squbrigg · #9 05-15-2006, 03:56 PM

Welcome aboard.

s.....more ideas floating around this site than you'll ever have time to carve in your lifetime. The trouble is trying to pick which to do next!!!

Get some practice with your tools, by carving simple things, like an egg, a triangle, square and circle in relief, a dog, cat, bird, or whale. Try a flower in relief, try carving an image of your hand, anything.....just practice, and have fun!

Bob

woodtrapper · #10 06-07-2006, 08:35 PM

Just thought I would mention that I lived in Winchester KY, for seven years.My wife was born in Lexington.Anyway,I would look for a ceramic shop that sells unpainted faces and such.You will find a lot of ideas and you can buy some ceramic heads or whatever to help you with facial perportion.Hope this helps.