What's a good carving project for a beginner?
It's not hard to begin wood carving.
Every summer, I spent time with my grandparents in a small village by the Volga river in Russia. I recall being six years old. I sneaked into my grandfather's workshop and saw 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. Long story short, it was the start of my journey in carving. I didn't carve wood that day, though. I found a white brick and started to chisel. I didn't know what I was carving. I just enjoyed doing it. By the end of the day, I saw a human face in that brick. I don't really remember what I felt, joy or frustration, but I know now it was the starting point of my lifelong journey as a carver.
Following that, I used wood and liked it way more than brick. I decided. Wood carving is for me, no more brick!
I had no idea about the types of wood or the different styles of wood carving. How do chip carving and relief carving differ? I found all those fancy terms very confusing. I did not know any wood carving basics.
I was very blessed with both sides of my family. My grandfather had a small shop and a couple of workbenches, and I could spend time with him and watch how he worked. For him, his shop was a “hiding place” from his wife, my grandmother. But obviously, she knew where to find him.On my father's side, the family has a rich history of fine woodworkers and furniture makers. One of my great-grandfathers was a craftsman for a royal house in Saint Petersburg, Russia.My Grandma talked about her childhood in her father's woodworking shop.
She remembered the melodies her father sang. He sang while he worked with the wood.I got my first chisel from my grandfather and my first whittling knife from my grandmother. It wasn't actually a whittling knife; it was a pocket knife from the USSR. Pocket knives are good for basic carving. Those two tools were my carving tools. I didn't have a gouge or any power tools. Not even a proper chip carving knife. A simple pocket knife can create something beautiful.
I didn't realize back then that woodcarving would become so important to me. Today, I carve for collectors worldwide and private residences. I had no clue woodcarving could be this rewarding.
What should I carve if I’m new to this hobby?
As a beginner, what should I carve?
Ask yourself first what is more appealing to you: a spoon or relief carvings. New carvers often don't realize the huge difference between carving a wooden spoon and carving a 3D sculpture with a gouge and a mallet. This is also known as carving in the round.
Nature itself functions by the ongoing 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
I'm starting my first carving project. What should I do?
Ask another important question. What style of carving do I like? But that's not the only question you need to ask. Another question to consider is: what tools do you possess? Do you have basic carving tools or only a knife? Some folks only have a chainsaw :). You can carve with a chainsaw but not a spoon.
I suggest trying out different carving styles. Once more, what hand tools do you own? With just a chip carving knife, spoon carving isn't possible, but other carvings are.
Dopamine functions like transmission fluid: when there’s too little, like in people with ADHD, it’s tough to shift attention or it goes straight to high gear.
(John J. Ratey and Eric Hagerman, Spark)
Dopamine in woodcarving is like the oil for your carving tools: if there’s not enough, similar to individuals with ADHD, your focus can either get stuck or suddenly jump to intense concentration.
WOODCARVING – What should I carve if I’m new to this hobby?-Beginner-Friendly Woodcarving Activities
Here is a List of some ideas:
- Spoon carving
- 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!