If I were a beginner, what would be the best carving to do?
Starting wood carving is pretty easy.
Every summer, I spent time with my grandparents in a small village by the Volga river in Russia. I remember when I was six. I snuck into my grandfather's workshop and found a woodworking chisel. I didn't know what the tool was, but I knew it had a sharp edge and I could probably cut something with it. To cut a long story short, it was the beginning of my carving journey. I didn't carve wood that day, though. I found a white brick and started to chisel away. I really didn't know what I was carving. I just liked the process. At the end of the day, I could see a human face in that brick. I don't remember if I felt joy or frustration, but I know now it was the start of my lifelong journey as a carver.
Afterward, I worked with wood and enjoyed it more than brick. I decided. I'll carve wood, not brick anymore!
I was unaware of the various types of wood and wood carving techniques. What the difference is between chip carving and relief carving? Those specialized words didn't make much sense to me. I did not know any wood carving basics.
I was very lucky with both sides of my family. My grandpa had a small shop and a few workbenches, and I could spend time with him and see how he worked. For him, his shop was a “hiding place” from his wife, my grandma. But she knew where to find him.Other side of my family. Father's side had a history of fine woodworkers and furniture makers. One of my great-grandfathers was one of the furniture makers for a royal house in Saint Petersburg, Russia.My Granny shared memories of her childhood in her dad's woodworking shop.
She remembered the tunes her dad sang. He sang while he worked with the wood.My grandfather gave me my first chisel, and my grandmother gave me my first whittling knife. Actually, it was a pocket knife from the USSR, not a whittling knife. Pocket knives are good for simple carving. Those were my carving tools. I didn't have a gouge or any power tools. Not even a real chip carving knife. A basic pocket knife is enough to create something beautiful.
At that time, I didn't know woodcarving would play such a crucial role in my life. Now, I create pieces for collectors globally and private residences. I didn't think woodcarving could be so gratifying.
What should I carve if I’m new to this hobby?
I'm new to carving, what should I start with?
Think about what you like more: a spoon or relief carvings. Often, beginners don't see the big difference between carving a wooden spoon and carving a 3-dimensional sculpture with a gouge and a mallet. This is also called carving in the round.
Nature itself works through the constant interaction of opposites—earth and fire, sun and moon, male and female, dark and light.
(Based on Robert Greene, Mastery)
Join School of Wood Carving
What should I do for my first carving project?
Consider another crucial question. What carving style do I prefer? However, this isn't the only question to ask. Another question to think about is: what tools do you own? Do you own basic wood carving tools or just a knife? Some of you might only have a chainsaw :). You can do a chainsaw carving but with a chainsaw, you can't carve a spoon.
I suggest trying out different carving styles. Remember, what hand tools do you have? With just a chip carving knife, spoon carving isn't possible, but other carvings are.
Dopamine works like transmission fluid: if there’s not enough, as is the case in people with ADHD, attention can’t easily be shifted or can only be shifted all the way into high gear.
(John J. Ratey and Eric Hagerman, Spark)
Dopamine in woodcarving is like oil for your carving tools: without enough, like people with ADHD, your focus can get stuck or suddenly become intensely focused.
WOODCARVING – What should I carve if I’m new to this hobby?-Basic First-Time Woodcarvings
Here is a List of some ideas:
- Carving spoons
- Old European Knife Carving
- Relief Carving
- Carving in the round
- Bird and Fish Carving
I’m a woodworker who loves carving. I make fancy carvings for a high end client worldwide. I also teach wood carving. I started the School of Wood Carving, a non-profit to help people learn.
The school’s website has over 3,000 how-to videos. Great for beginners and pros! I’m from Russia but have lived in the USA a long time. Like wood? Join us at the School of Wood Carving. We’d love to have you!