New DVDs cover the basics of traditional carving

The second and third DVDs in Chris Pye's instructional series focus on letter and ornamental carving.

Woodcarving with Chris Pye, Volume 2: Letter Carving and Volume 3: Ornamental Carving

Chris Pye's books have always been a go-to resource for me, but nothing compares to seeing the action in real time. These DVDs focus on basic carving techniques. Actually seeing the subtle hand and arm movements makes the process a lot less intimidating.

In Volume 2, Chris breaks the Roman-style alphabet into four sections: uprights, serifs, junctions, and curves. He demonstrates how to carve each section. Once you master these four elements, you can carve any letter. Chris covers everything you need to know to successfully carve letters including the tools required, and how to hold and use them.

Chris' systematic method makes it easy to learn the techniques for well-shaped and identically spaced letters. He emphasizes that unless you are a carving prodigy, your first letters will probably not look like his. While he provides the basic instruction necessary to carve letters, Chris states he cannot demonstrate all the details of designing a sign in a 90 minute DVD. For that information, he refers to his book, Lettercarving in Wood: A Practical Course.

In Volume 3, Chris builds on the basic carving skills and shows how to carve a classic leaf motif that can be used to embellish a variety of objects. Chris introduces a few new tools and demonstrates the two main ways he holds his tools: the low-angle grip and the high angle grip. I've read about the grips, but it wasn't until I saw them in use that I fully understood; I had to try them out. Chris warns that the grips may seem uncomfortable–and they were–but I see the value of his method of holding.

Chris also demonstrates how to turn the square leaf motif into a triangular leaf design. The additional information on adapting the design is just as valuable as the actual carving instruction.

His teaching style is the same on both DVDs: introduce a basic design, walk you through carving that design, and then show you how to best practice the techniques.

Chris' instructions are put to the test when Canadian woodworker Rob Cosman, who hosts the DVDs, tries his hand at carving. Chris guides Rob through the process and points out common mistakes. While Rob's work is not as clean as Chris', it looks good– which is encouraging for other student carvers.

Chris and Rob have teamed up on three DVDs: Vol. 1 Sharpening Techniques was reviewed in WCI Spring 2008 (Issue 42). DVDs are $32.50 each + s&h. Contact Tools for Working Wood at 800-426-4613, www.toolsforworkingwood.com, or Treeline USA, 800-598-2743, www.treelineusa.com.