Relief
Carving Wood Spirits
by
Lora S. Irish
Softcover
215 x 275mm
127pp
Published by Fox Chapel Publishing Co. Inc., East Petersburg PA USA
R.R.P.$29.90
ISBN 978-1-56523-333-1
As reviewed in The Australian Woodworker Issue 144
While the author suggests that her Wood Spirits might be used to decorate a home, surely their rightful place is in the garden.
Nestled in among the ferns, clinging to the trunk of a tree or providing an accent for a garden bench, meant to be glimpsed rather than simply seen, these Spirits would add a touch of magic to their natural surroundings.
The back cover text on this book claims that Wood Spirits are a very popular carving subject. That may be true in other countries but within the region where most copies of this magazine are sold, it is doubtful.
Perhaps this book will help to change that. It's essentially a workbook with step-by-step instructions for carving a Grape Man Wood Spirit. It is a relief carving of a face, much of which is formed from vine leaves.
Talented woodcarvers will have little trouble with the project but even those who have done little carving are unlikely to find the task too difficult. The easy to read descriptive text, which takes up most of the book, is supported by almost 250 excellent photos.
For those who have done little or no previous woodcarving, there is ashort introduction before the project.
At the end of the book is a section containing drawings and descriptions for several other similar but more complex projects.
Photos: Colour
Contents
Part One: Getting Started
in Relief Carving
About Relief Carving and Wood Spirits
Relief Carving
Tools and Materials
Relief Carving Skills and Techniques
Part
Two: Carving a Wood Spirit
Preparing the Wood Blank
Roughing Out the
Carving
Smoothing the Face
Detailing the Leaves
Cleaning Up and Finishing
Part
Three: Patterns
Classic Wood Spirit
Lazy Days
Long Maple Leaf Panel
Long
Oak Leaves
Maple Leaf One
Maple Leaf Two
Maple Leaf Three
North
Wind Wood Spirit
Surprise
Tall Celtic Twist
Winter Forest
Leaves
Appendix
Tutorial 1: Dry Brush Painting Your Wood Spirit
Tutorial 2: Three Oaks
Close Up
Tutorial 3: Adding Extra Depth