[Soggy]

Well the first step didn't take too long. I ordered the beginners kit along with the beginners handbook of woodcarving from Little Shavers just last week and recieved them today,
I haven't decided just what the first project will be, but I'm leaning towards caricatures. That looks like it would be the most fun to do, so perhaps that is where I will start. I'll keep it simple so I won't get discouraged
Just a quick question to those with more experience.................should I start from a raw block, or should I buy a rough out? If a rough out is the way to go, maybe someone could suggest a link to a supplier.
Thanks in advance;
Soggy

[squbrigg]

Well Soggy, now that you have some tools, and they are sharp, get yourself use to using them. Take some wood, a Pine board for instance, what ever you have at hand, and start getting use to the knife. Carve off the board edges first, for example. Turn the board into a round stick. Then cut off a piece of the stick and carve an egg out of it.

Get use to the tools, the grain of the wood and get comfortable with holding them.

Use some of the board to learn about the gouges and how they cut. Draw simple shapes in the surface of the board and relief carve them, starting with stop cuts around the edges, carve away the background wood around each shape and then carve the shape. IE: draw a square and carve it into a cube, then into a pyramid. Or a circle, carve around it until it resembles a drum, then carve it into a cone. These are simple exercises to get you use to the tools and how they cut and how the woodgrain play a part in the cutting process.

Practice, practice, practice.

Go to the library and borrow a couple of books on carving, "Elements of WoodCarving" by Chris Pye, or "How to Carve Wood" by Richard Butz are two good ones to look for. You can also purchase them here through Fox Cahpel if you like.

Good luck and ask lots of questions. We're here to help you along the way.

Bob

[Lynn O. Doughty]

The best way to start is to cut yourself a square cube out of Basswood about 3" square. Next, draw a line around it's middle both ways on all four sides. Now carve it into a ball.

Doing this you will learn the effect of grain in relationship to the direction of the knife cut from all angles. Learn these simple rules and you're on your way.

[jillsy]

Hey Soggy,

I agree that it'd be best for you to start simple. When I first started, I was using a dull knife and one of Tom Wolfe's books. I got thru it (bloodied and all) and was very proud of myself, despite my very primitive looking Santas. Thankfully, I eventually found this website and from there, my skills have greatly increased. Check to see if you have any wood carving clubs near you. I found one and although I couldn't stay as long as I would have liked (had another baby and that was all she wrote!) it was the best thing for me. The carvers there taught me some very basic cuts and how to sharpen my knives. Just these simple basic tips made all the difference in the world.

[Mottles]

Hi there and welcome!
Yep, start with practing using your tools you have ordered. I agree with those who have commented so far it's really good advice. Getting to know how wood reacts to each carving tool is very important and will hopefully save you some mistakes. Not that mistakes don't happen because they do even with intermediate and advanced carvers.
Practice, practice and stick with us here on WCI for encouragement and advice.
Kathy

[Kenny_S]

Good advice given here. Start out with small chips. You can always take more off.

[Soggy]

Thanks for the tips and encouragement from all; I'm a little busy this time of year but am sure that I will get some time to practice the tips that everyone has suggested. Getting my hands on some white pine should be no problem, as it grows locally, and I have friends in the construction industry.Basswood seems to be non existant here although I'm told there are some suppliers in Halifax (250 klm. away)
Thanks for the advice
Soggy

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Hey Soggy welcome, in addition to all the above great adivice, the following link should help some also. Have fun, it's a great hobby and a ton of great people here eager to help.
For Beginning Carvers from Little Shavers

Dave

[Mottles]

Here is a link to some fine folks who carry really nice basswood if you would like to try it. Heinecke Wood Products
I buy just about all my basswood from them, super folks to do business with.
Kathy

[Shimmy]

That was good advice from Mottles.With good basswood you won't get discouraged.like you would with a piece hard as a rock.Just take it slow.