Home
Careers
Club Search
Message Board
Carver Galleries
Subscription Services
What a wonderful magazine, every issue is like Christmas!... Continue
To view the
Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board
CLICK HERE


Welcome to the Woodcarving Illustrated Message Board, an online wood carving forum community where you can join thousands of carvers from around the world discussing all things related to carving. To gain full access to the message board you must register for a free account. As a registered member you will be able to:
  • Browse over 90,000 posts.
  • Communicate privately with other carvers from around the world.
  • Post your own photos or view from 3,500 user submitted images.
  • Gain access to exclusive wood carving promotions offered by Wood Carving Illustrated and Fox Chapel Publishing.
All this and much more is available to you absolutely free when you register for an account, so sign up today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact the Woodcarving Illustrated Message Board's Support Team.

Go Back   Woodcarving Illustrated Message Board > Wood Carving > Wood Carving for Beginners
Register

Wood Carving for Beginners

Reply
 
LinkBack (1) Thread Tools Display Modes
  1 links from elsewhere to this Post. Click to view. #1  
Old 01-02-2004, 09:53 PM
whittlinwit
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default The Value of carving instruction

This subject is something I have personal experience with.
I carved about 25 years without ever meeting another carver.

When I look back at my attempts prior to 1995, it is easy to see the value of instruction. Â*I took my first carving class that year and many more since. Â*Each instructor has their own style and information to share.

I have used many of those tips and others I didn't. Â*If you take lessons from a single carving instructor, expect your carvings to mimic that carver's style. Â*So choose your source of education wisely.

Lately, I have taken on a new student, and the progress has been nothing but amazing. Â*The first two carvings turned out very well, and the third is currently in work. Â* Â*The first was from a roughout, the second was carved from a block of wood without a pattern of any kind.

If my own experience had begun so well, there is no telling where my carving skills would be today.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-03-2004, 10:14 AM
Hi_Ho_Sliver's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Dec 1969
Location: Arizona
Posts: 9,243
Default Re: The Value of carving instruction

I did the same with my painting...worked for many many years, and finally took a couple classes and 'viola'! I don't know that you could learn in a lifetime of the hunt and peck method , what you can from a few classes!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-03-2004, 10:19 AM
coffeeman
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: The Value of carving instruction

I'm in full agreement with Rick, for those just starting out, and others who want to learn, the value gained from another instructor in without question, money well spent.

I've been carving for two years, have taken three different instructional classes, have learned from each, it has propelled my carving ability and produced positive results.

In each class, I was the one with the least talent / experience, which was just fine for me, but what I noticed was, how many other 'well experienced & trained' carvers were also there, learning more & more.

If you can catch a local class, or one not to far of a drive away, you will enjoy it and make some great friends too.

Great subject Rick, hope we have inspired some to the importance. Bye the way, even Tiger Woods still has a golfing Coach. Coffeeman
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-03-2004, 10:28 AM
mdallensr's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 997
Default Re: The Value of carving instruction

Great topic and a great point. One of the really valuable aspects of lessons is the structure and discipline of learning and carving regularly. I'm guessing we all get stuck with some part of a carving, and some of those carvings never get finished or are finished badly. An instructor can get you over that obstacle quickly and let you go on to finish your carving properly. I also like carving with other carvers, sharing ideas and having some good laughs.

I think every instructor I've heard or read about tells students at all levels to carve, carve, carve. You can make the best of that carving effort with some help. Find a club, a teacher or a group of experienced carvers. They'll make a huge difference.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-03-2004, 12:43 PM
Ric Ric is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: North of Disneyland in Washington
Posts: 242
Default Re: The Value of carving instruction

I agree Rick. All of my experience has come from self tought, books, and videos. I would love to spend a day or two in a good class tought by you. (hint..hint)
Ric
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-03-2004, 01:33 PM
Colin_Partridge's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Thornton, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,723
Default Re: The Value of carving instruction

You know Rick I never took a carving class until last year and my first class was with Jeff Phares and as I said after I took his class I didnt realize how little I knew. I am scheduled for two more seminars soon both completely different and I cant wait. I agree if you only copying some one else all of your carvings will soon look like theirs. I believe that you dont stop learning until the day you die and who knows maybe after. I started carving in my mid fifty's and I also would love to know how good I could have been if I had started earlier.
Colin
__________________
Great minds speak about idea's. Small minds speak about people.
http://woodspiritcarver.netfirms.com
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-03-2004, 03:07 PM
jamesfa's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: cedar valley,ontario
Posts: 739
Default Re: The Value of carving instruction

i have only been carving for a while,and the reason this board is great is because i can read the answers to others questions and post a few of my own.its like intructions.because i travel alot taking classes is difficult i either have just missed one,or one begins after i've left.
so until i can improve my timing this board is my instruction,or as i do often if i see some one carving I'll stop for a while and watch and pick their brain. as i did to colin when i saw him at a show
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-03-2004, 06:26 PM
Hi_Ho_Sliver's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Dec 1969
Location: Arizona
Posts: 9,243
Default Re: The Value of carving instruction

you have to be careful pickin' brains..some of us don't have much left to pick at and besides, if you keep pickin' at it, it won't get well! :P : 8)
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-03-2004, 10:11 PM
Colin_Partridge's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Thornton, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,723
Default Re: The Value of carving instruction

Dave,
Seeing that James was referring to my brain he was picking when he was looking over my shoulder are you insinuating that I do not have much of the grey stuff. LOL . If you were talking to my wife she would probably agree with you. James you didnt make me nervous looking over my shoulder I was just afraid you were a potential customer and I would make a mistake. .
Colin
__________________
Great minds speak about idea's. Small minds speak about people.
http://woodspiritcarver.netfirms.com
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-04-2004, 07:45 AM
Hi_Ho_Sliver's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Dec 1969
Location: Arizona
Posts: 9,243
Default Re: The Value of carving instruction

No James...thats not it...he was worried about his fingers! At his advanced age he tends to be a bit shaky! LOL
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

LinkBacks (?)
LinkBack to this Thread: http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/forum/f33/value-carving-instruction-2166/
Posted By For Type Date
Wood Carving for Beginners [Archive] - Page 12 - Woodcarving Illustrated Message Board This thread Refback 02-29-2008 11:17 PM

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Patterns and Instruction rick-in-seattle Wood Carving for Beginners 10 08-16-2008 09:16 PM
Carving Instruction Earl Relief and Chip Carving 1 01-08-2007 08:07 PM
new to carving and need instruction/classes bulldog Welcome Members 1 11-28-2006 10:27 PM
DVD Quality for instruction Dennis Taylor Wood Carving for Beginners 4 09-28-2005 10:53 PM
need instruction books pcmattern Animal and Bird Carving 2 04-26-2005 11:45 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:09 PM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.1.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2007 Fox Chapel Publishing Co., Woodcarving Illustrated
Tell a Friend
New Carving Books
Santa Carving Contest