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Hand Carving a Simple Reindeer

01/27/2010 20:27:00 Don Swartz
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Easy-to-carve deer is the perfect complement to your holiday display

Step-by-step photos by Bob Duncan

Carve this rustic deer as a stand-alone project or size the pattern to create the perfect complement to your favorite carved Santa. Use twigs for the antlers to add to the rustic charm and simplify the carving process.

I use knives, chisels, and gouges to carve the deer, leaving the tool marks visible. Use power carving tools or sand away the tool marks and woodburn fur texture for a more realistic reindeer.

Create a herd of deer and give one a red nose in honor of Santa’s favorite reindeer, Rudolph. Add leather reins and position the deer in front of a sleigh for a dramatic mantel display.

The pattern for this reindeer is based on drawings in Doug Lindstrand's Alaska Sketchbook, available from Fox Chapel, www.FoxChapelPublishing.com.

See Woodcarving Illustrated Holiday 2009 issue #49 for additional step-by-step instructions for completing this project.

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Mark the location of the neck. Use the pattern as a guide as you sketch in the line between the jaw and neck. Round the belly. I use a wide shallow gouge to help round the belly, since the end grain can sometimes be difficult to carve with a knife. Round the neck. Use the centerline as a guide to help you keep the neck proportions correct. Refine the face. Use a carving knife to shape the muzzle and eye socket area. Shape the ears. Use a detail knife to thin and shape the ears. Carve the eyes. Make a stop cut along the perimeter of the eye. Shave up to the stop cut to separate the eye from the socket. Round the eyes. Remove a triangular chip from the corners of the eyes to make the eyeballs look round. Add the hoof details. Use a carving knife to separate the hooves from the legs. Add the heel details. Reindeer have a tuft of fur on the back of their legs above the hoof. Use a detail knife to shape this area. The finished project
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Comments (3 posted):

Snowdog on 03/20/2010 11:17:24
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Nice deer, I wish there was a pattern attached.
bob1957ja on 05/19/2010 14:54:11
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I tried to carve this deer and messed the grain up. I cut the grain running east west rather than north south . I think I need to try again.....
hwallen48 on 05/19/2010 15:58:10
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Thanks for the Info!!
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Don Swartz Don Swartz of Lancaster, Pa., is the owner of Hillcrest Carving, a carving supply store near Lancaster. Don also teaches classes at his store. Contact Don at 717-285-7117 or carvingtherapy@gmail.com. more