Woodcarving
Made Easy
by Cynthia Rogers
Softcover
210 x 277mm
148pp
Published by Guild of Master Craftsman Publications Ltd, East Sussex UK
R.R.P.$39.90
ISBN 1-86108-289-4
Foilage Panel
Flower and Leaf Panel
Lop-eared Rabbit
Koala
Tree Frog
Naughty Child
Matriach
As reviewed in The Australian Woodworker Issue 111
Woodcarving Made Easy is Cynthia Rogers' first book and has been written to make it easier for beginners to attempt woodcarving.
According to Cynthia, who has also contributed some memorable projects to this magazine, taking up woodcarving requires, 'no previous experience or artistic ability'. All that is needed is 'patience, and the desire to succeed’.
The book contains 10 different projects complete with drawings, a materials list and comprehensive step-by-step instructions with detailed colour photos illustrating every stage of the process. This instructive/pictorial approach is extremely effective, particularly for those who are seeking strong guidance.
Before starting on the projects, Cynthia begins with a discussion on the tools, equipment and sharpening requirements of tools used in carving.
Which chisels to choose when starting out can be confusing, so major brands are recommended. Cynthia advises beginners to start with a small complement of gouges, a fishtail and a carving knife - the sizes and types are listed - as well as other miscellaneous implements. Timber choice and preparation, and a strong emphasis on safety and workspace organisation are also discussed.
Sharpening and polishing your chisels is important because it makes carving the wood easier and enables a clean cut. How to sharpen chisels using stones or power sharpening units such as wet-stone grinders is explained with step-by-step photos for guidance.
While the introductory chapters are informative, Woodcarving Made Easy is primarily a project-oriented book. Beginning with how to carve a Foliage Panel, Cynthia follows a consistent format throughout. This entails supplying a materials list, initial preparation, a detailed template (including grain direction and enlargement instructions), making a mock-up in clay, a progression through the different chisel-cutting techniques, making the backing board and finishing. To give you an idea of the depth of instruction in the first project, there are a total of 90 colour plates, each with supporting text which fully explains each step. Other projects include a Lop-eared Rabbit, a Tree Frog, a Naughty Child and Water Poppies.
The final section contains a gallery of Cynthia's works, including the Circle of Life (see Issue# 109), an appendix of suitable woodcarving timbers (with an emphasis on Australian species) and a handy metric conversion chart.
If you're considering taking those first very important steps into the field of carving wood, Woodcarving Made Easy offers sound advice, instruction and visual guidance to help you on your way.
Photos: Colour
Contents
Notices
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part
I: Getting Started
Tools and equipment
Sharpening
Part
II: First Projects
Foliage panel
Flower and leaf panel
Lop-eared
rabbit
Koala
Tree frog
Finishing your work
Part
III: Further Projects
Naughty child
Matriarch
Water poppies
Daisy clock
Gallery
of carvings
Appendix: Timbers for carving
Metric conversion chart
About the author
Index
Water poppies
Daisy Clock