As a beginner, what carving should I start with?
Wood carving isn't difficult to get into.
Every summer, I lived with my grandparents in a small village by the Volga river in Russia. I recall when I was six years old. 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. Long story short, it was the start of my carving journey. I didn't carve wood that day. I found a white brick and started chiseling. I really didn't know what I was carving. I just enjoyed doing it. At the end of the day, I could identify a human face in that brick. I don't remember what I felt, joy or frustration, but I know now it was the start of my lifelong journey as a carver.
Next, I used wood and found it better than brick. I chose. Carving wood is my new thing, not brick!
I was unaware of the various types of wood and wood carving techniques. What's the difference between chip carving and relief carving? All those technical words were hard for me to understand. I lacked any basic understanding of wood carving.
I was really lucky with both sides of my family. My grandpa had a little shop and a few workbenches, and I could hang out with him and see how he did things. To him, his shop was a “hiding spot” from his wife, my grandma. But of course, 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 shared stories about her childhood in her dad's woodworking shop.
She recalled the songs her father used to sing. 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.
Back then, I didn't know woodcarving would be so significant in my life. Today, I carve for collectors around the globe and private homes. I didn't realize woodcarving could be so rewarding.
What should I try carving as a beginner to get started?
What is a good carving project for a beginner?
Decide what you find more interesting: 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 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
Starting my first carving project. What steps should I take?
Reflect on another significant question. What is my favorite carving style? However, this isn't the only question to ask. Another question is: what tools are available to you? Do you possess basic wood carving tools or just a knife? Some people only have a chainsaw :). You can do chainsaw carving but not spoon carving.
I advise experimenting with various carving styles. Think about it, what hand tools do you have? If you have only a chip carving knife you can't do “spoon carving”, but it does not mean you can't do something else.
Dopamine is like transmission fluid: not enough of it, as in those with ADHD, makes it hard to shift attention or it jumps to 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 try carving as a beginner to get started?-Easy Initial Carvings for Newbies
Here is a List of some ideas:
- Making wooden 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!