Wood
Carving
Projects and Techniques
by Chris Pye
Softcover
210 x 275mm
172pp
Published by Guild of Master Craftsman Publications Ltd, East Sussex UK
R.R.P.$39.90
ISBN 1-86108-507-8
As reviewed in The Australian Woodworker Issue 137
When a series of magazine articles is complied into a book, there is always the danger that the end result will still be a series of articles.
That's not the case with Wood Carving Projects and Techniques. Chris Pye wrote the original articles for Woodcarving magazine and says that he felt little need to make changes. We must therefore attribute the consistency of the material to skillful editing. While it touches only specific aspects of the craft, it reads at times like a short course in woodcarving.
The book is divided into six parts, the first of which is Tools & Equipment. This section is far from comprehensive, but includes an in-depth treatment of several related topics that are poorly covered in most woodcarving books - the selection and sharpening of the V-tool as well as holding and using the tool.
The second part on Architectural Carving deals with a subject that is usually found only in specialist carving literature. A handrail scroll, pineapple finial and lion brackets are used as examples.
Moulding includes detailed, step-by-step instructions for various forms of moulding which might find application in both Architecture and Cabinetmaking.
Lettering contains not only general advice on this form of carving, but also many topics of specific interest such as the gilding of incised lettering, and the use of other alphabets.
The last two parts are devoted to Simple Projects and Advanced Projects. The latter includes three projects of the kind often found in woodcarving books, ie. projects which would test the skills of even very experienced woodcarvers.
Of more interest are the five projects in the first of these parts - an open book, a bow tie, the face of a mythological being, a doorway arch and a trophy. These are just what they are claimed to be - simple projects - yet the end result of each of them is of much more value than just a training exercise.
This is essentially a book that allows the reader to fill in many of the gaps left by other woodcarving texts while also providing worthwhile projects to complete.
About the Author: Chris Pye has been a professional woodcarver for more than 25 years and is a member of the Master Carvers Association.
Photos: Colour
Units of Measurement: Imperial & Metric
Contents
Part One: Tools and Equipment
Selecting and Sharpening a V Tool
Holding and Using a V Tool
Bench
Work
Part
Two: Architectural Carving
Learning Curve
Pineapple Finial
Lion
Brackets
Part
Three: Moulding
Waterleaf Moulding
Egg and Dart Moulding
Acanthus
Leaf Moulding
Guilloche Moulding
Part
Four: Lettering
Perfect Prose
Decorative House Sign
Gilding the
House Sign
Peace Process
Tibetan Tails
Part
Five: Simple Projects
Off the Books
Take a Bow
Architectural Inspiration
Door Mouse
Memento
Part
Six: Advanced Projects
Bird of Prey
Phoenix Rising
Meditation
The
Sheffield List
The Pfeil System
Glossary
Suppliers
Recommended
reading
About the Author
Index