Question for new carvers!

[Scott Hagerty]

I'm considering giving a class for new carvers in conjunction with our club and would like some input on what you might expect out of a class.

I'd also like suggestions for a project. Something that can be done in 3 or 4 classes of 2 hrs or less. I'm thinking something that can basically be done with a knife and a few gouges that the club owns. Pics or links would be appreciated.

Keep in mind I'm doing this for free and don't want to get a lot of expense involved.

[catbird]

Scott, you are real sweetheart to do this for your club. I'm very new so here is what I suggest...of course safety, sharpening, honing, how to hold tools, explain woodgrain, types of wood,show them how to do a cut-out on a bandsaw, tell them about different tool usage, and that they don't have to have every tool listed in the instructions of a pattern to do the same thing. A question I think all of new carvers would like to know, if you were just going to buy a few tools at first, what would they be. Give them a list of resources...of course this forum and mag. where to get good quality wood, etc.
Jeez, I wish I was in your club, I could pick your brain for hours! LOL!
Any of the projects on Gene's Utube site would be good, in my opinion, because you can work on it in class and go on Gene's site when they are at home and "alone",Yikes.
Just my thoughts, hope this might help.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Scott, I think it is great that you are considering doing that. I would have to say how to carve eyes, facial features, wrinkles in clothing.

Dave

[CarverFromNoWhere]

Well I was all over this then I read catbirds post, catbird pretty much coverd everything. I am still new to carving but I have been teaching my mother and some friends from our club who are old enough to be my dad. Maybe some stuff to add to catbirds post drawing and sanding are also important, and for a project maybe a pumkin or snowman? sounds easy and simple, WCI had a cat sitting inside of some stacked up pumkins carving project a few issues ago I think. Hope this helps
Carl

[Scott Hagerty]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I taught one class on faces before and would like this one to be more for the rank beginner. We usually attract some new blood after our show in a couple of weeks and should strike while the iron is hot.

I like the snowman idea, it should cover most of the basic cuts with a knife, making a square block round and so on.

I should get busy and try one out.

[BeckyLil]

Scott, I've just been carving for a couple of months now. I don't know if I still qualify as a rank beginner but I certainly remember it!

All those basics suggested earlier are good but I agree that a simple project that they can complete in one or two of your lessons would be the thing that makes them want to learn more. At least if they are like me. Tom Hindes' five minute wizard got me going and I have found a real simple owl pattern too. Having a "finished" product to show to friends and family (and hear their "oohs and ahhs") was a big motivator for me.

You can sharpen their knives for them in the meantime and explain woodgrain when and if it presents itself. But I think walking away with a finished, if simple, carving is what will make them walk back wanting to learn more.

Just my two cents.

[chuckbolton]

to get a new carver inspired i think he must complete a project as soon as possible-- mike shipley teach a method of flat plane carving where a student completes a project in 2 days- if he has any experience at all-- may complete and paint a few more== most carvers are project oriented and need to show themselves and family what they have done. the sharpening and laying out of bandsaw blanks are important, but down the road a bit-- my first class was with an adult education class of 2 hours for 6 weeks and i finished several simple pieces-- i felt i had learned something and also had a completed project. just my 2 cents.

[arbarnhart]

My .02 - I think you need to pick either relief with palm tools or ITR with a knife. I personally think beginner relief projects are easier, especially if they are something like the leaf pattern that comes with the FlexCut beginner palm set. Errors on a pattern like that are pretty easy to recover from; most leaves have varying shapes. But if you cut too deep where the nose is supposed to be there isn't an easy recovery. ITR carving requires more skill in getting spatial relationships right. Shallow relief is pretty much 2D, using cuts/depth as paint.

[Scott Hagerty]

Thanks for the thoughts!

Keep them coming.

Scott

[Joy]

I agree the first class should be project oriented with safety included throughout the class. I like the boot for beginners because you can't really mess up a boot and those with more skill can do more details while those who struggle can still get a completed boot.