[Shannor]

Hello everyone. I'm a displaced British woman living in America, and after watching a program on the DIY channel, I decided I'd like to add to my artistic resume by taking up woodcarving. I'm particularly interested in carving in the round, specifically carving animals and birds. (One of my big passions is birds of prey)

I have a little experience with woodworking after doing a GNVQ in Engineering several years ago, so count myself lucky in this regard, as I think I know what kind of trouble to expect in having the work agree with me on where it wants to go.

I also cross-stitch, crochet, knit, paint, draw, write stories and poetry, and paint miniatures (one day perhaps, I'll be able to carve my own dragons for Dungeons and Dragons games). With regards to painting, my specialty is landscapes and horses. For landscapes I paint in the Bob Ross method, and for painting horses, I use tricks I've learned along the way. I've dabbled in flint-napping, but I don't know whether this will help me at all in carving.

Hopefully, I'll be able to find plenty of advice on here, and may even make a few new friends

For a first project, I'd like to try a simple Buffalo, but I have no idea where to start. Does anyone have any advice for a complete beginner on how to get such a project started?

[Mitchell]

Get a book on carving animals. There's plenty of options. Most will provide a list of needed tools.

You should read other threads on beginners asking questions on how to get started.

One important suggestion: what works for one may not work for another - we are each different. Therefore, don't just jump in on the first suggestion, but look around and ask questions.

Remember - Safety first

Good luck.

[Mitchell]

Go the Fox Chapel site and look around on the books available on animal carving. There are also lots on birds of prey.

Some suppliers have "kits" that supply most of the parts/blanks for carving birds. Maybe someone can lead you along those lines.

My personal favorite (for animals) is Desiree Hajny and I believe she had an article in one of the Woodcarving magazines on carving a buffalo. Her techniques and style will be difficult for a beginner to copy, but you could simplify the carving.

Anyway, here's a link to some of her books and magazines that she has articles in:

http://www.foxchapelpublishing.com/searchproducts.cfm

[sbirkes]

Start with research on Buffalo. Get the reasearch together and do some drawings or sculpts. The take those into a pattern.

Just like getting ready to do a painting.

[torpidhummer]

Welcome aboard SHANNOR:

In my meager opinion,I would go straight to Desiee Hajny, she has a great book on animal carvings. Besides you being an artist you really will favor her style of explaining the skeletal movement of animals for carving purposes. By the way no one that enjoys carving is " displaced ", good luck in you carving endveavors.
torpidhummer.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Good place to start is with Ricks beginner kit...www.littleshavers.com best buy around!

[WOODIE13]

Welcome to the board!

[Smee]

I think with your artistic background you have a leg up on most beginners. And yet I would suggest one or two simpler projects to get acclimated to the tools and the nature of wood. Unless your using power tools, wood grain and density are a big deal.

[squbrigg]

Welcome aboard, this is a great place to begin! Loads of experience here and plenty of nice folks to give you advice......... some of it actually useful! LOL

With your artistic experience, you should have no great difficulty in adapting to this medium. Do your homework, get some good quality tools and wood and go to it. Practice, practice, practice and you'll be carving dragons before you know it!

Again, welcome .

Bob

[Joy]

Welcome to the forum. I agree that Desiree's books are a great resource. But you might want to start with something simple like a shoe or boot....just to get the feel for your tools and what they can do. Good wood and good tools are best advice I can give. Oh! and hone, hone, hone....keep those tools really sharp.