Advice for carving a simple fish

[jillsy]

Hey everybody,

My husband, Ted, is very supportive of my woodcarving and says he wishes he could do it too. One thing he would love to carve is a simple fish - nothing realistic or fancy, more of a folk-art style.

Being that Ted has no experience carving and tends to get very frustrated with himself when he makes a mistake, I'd love to start him off with something easy. I was thinking I could cut him out something on my bandsaw and put it in his Christmas stocking to carve this year.

Any suggestions on what kind of fish would be good to start with? I've never done one either so it would have to be pretty basic. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated. He's talked about this for a while, but I think he's already got it in his head that he can't do it. I think once he starts though, he'll find it's not as difficult as it appears.

Thanks!

Jillsy

[AlArchie]

Try this free pattern by L.S. Irish (Susan, onthis site)! It's a really good beginner's project and can be adapted for semi-realistic or cartoon type carving (fish caricature?)


http://www.carvingpatterns.com/fishdecoy.htm

I've used this pattern for instructing beginners in the Boy Scout Woodcarving Merit Badge.

Al

[Just Carving]

Jillsy,

In the Spring 2000 issue there was a an beginner's article for carving an Arizona Sand Puppy:
http://www.foxchapelpublishing.com/p...3&disccode=wci

I don't know how hard it would be for Ted to carve, but it does say for a beginner. Besides, he has a resident expert carver to turn to for help--YOU!

If you don't have the issue, the back issues may be gone but if you call WCI, 888-506-6630, or send them an email CustomerService@WoodCarvingIllustrated.com, they'll send you a copy of the article and pattern for a fee. I'd help you with the article but I don't have the issue.

Here's a picture of someone's Arizona Sand Puppy carving:

http://homepage.mac.com/anastasia_c/...ood/guppy.html

BTW--If the sand puppy isn't what you have in mind, there are a couple of fish articles/patterns--maybe beginners...not sure-- in the other magazine. I'll have to check to see which ones later when I get home and let you know.

http://www.carvingmagazine.com/issues/issue12.shtml

Issue 9 has fish on the cover, but not sure what's inside

http://www.carvingmagazine.com/issues/back.shtml

[Kenny_S]

Jillsy, Hubby can carve the Arizona Sand puppy, for sure and it would be a great beginner's project or even a practice piece.Hint Hint.
My little 9 year old Granddaughter carved it and it is proudly displayed in the hutch because she wanted her Papa to have it(tears of happiness welling up).

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

hummm never seen an arizona sand guppy, but we have lots of "rock rabbits" and tree climbing snakes lol

[jillsy]

Thanks all! These pics were just what I was looking for!

[Robert Cahill]

I use to be in a carving club and they did the Arizona sand puppy for the new carvers. A lot painted it like the one in the movie I think its name was Nemo.
Robert

[woodbutcher]

I used to love carving fish decoys. Here is a good book for you.
http://http://www.amazon.com/gp/read...36#reader-link

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

OK...had to find an Arizona Guppy for a model, I did and carved one....its a quick simple carving and I am sure your husband can do it.....Cowboy

[Just Carving]

had to find an Arizona Guppy for a model, I did and carved one

Yeah? Okay, Dave. How about carving one out of wood now?Cowboy