Scroll down for links to his top books from Fox Chapel!

20 Minute Whittling Projects	Art & Technique of Scandinavian-Style Woodcarving	Caricature Carving from Head to Toe
Carving Faces Workbook	Carving Little Caricatures	Carving the Human Face, Second Edition, Revised & Expanded
Hand Carving Snowmen and Santas	Learn to Carve Gnomes, Trolls, and Mythical Creatures	Whittle Little Folk
Whittling Country Folk, Revised Edition	Whittling the Country Bear and His Friends	Whittling the Old Sea Captain, Revised Edition

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The post Doug Linker Names His Top Woodcarving Books! appeared first on Woodcarving Illustrated.

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The post Behind the Scenes: Jim and Joan’s Pumpkin Heads Class appeared first on Woodcarving Illustrated.

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In this week’s video, Giles Newman walks you through every step of carving an ivy leaf pendant in oak wood, using one of the pendant carving kits available now on his website. The video is an hour long, but the sound of his knife against the grain and the birds in the background make it a breeze to watch. To dive deeper into his process, be sure to watch this video, as well—Step 1: The Cut Out.

About the Author

Giles has a background in photography and graphic design, and a lifelong passion for the wilderness. Five years ago, he taught himself woodcarving as a way to spend more time in the small wooded area he manages in the mountains of North Wales. Using only an axe and a knife, he began carving wooden spoons from windfallen wood. Since the weather in the UK makes for a plentiful supply of naturally fallen wood, Giles found no need to seek alternative sources. He soon abandoned his life as a designer and photographer to pursue woodcarving full-time.

“I wanted to have a minimal impact on nature which in turn, I hope, serves to reinforce rather than undermine my creative intentions.”

Giles uses the natural features of wood, such as knots and other elements often considered imperfections, as a guide for creating. Instead of seeing the wood as a blank canvas and forcing his ideas into reality, Giles “finds and interprets the forms that already exist within.”

To learn more, visit Giles’ website, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

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The post Woodcarving Wednesday: Carve an Ivy Leaf Pendant With Giles Newman appeared first on Woodcarving Illustrated.

In this week’s video, longtime contributor and CCA member Bob Hershey demonstrates how to carve natural-looking rocks. Be sure to also watch Betty Padden’s video on how to paint realistic stone texture so you can take your carves to the next level!

Also, be sure to check out these fantastic new Fox Chapel books:

Carving & Painting Adorable Animals in Wood by Desiree HajnyWith helpful tips and notes throughout to capture a realistic yet playful essence of 12 animals, this advanced pattern book is perfect for woodcarvers looking to challenge their skills.

Carving Creative Walking Sticks and Canes by Paul PurnellThis book features 13 step-by-step projects for both intermediate and advanced woodcarvers, progressing from simple sticks to a couple of highly detailed and decorative cane heads.

About the Author

Bob Hershey is a retired truck driver who began carving in 1982. He is a member of the Conewago Carvers and Lancaster County Woodcarvers clubs. He enters the local club shows; Artistry in Wood in Dayton, Ohio; and the Caricature Carvers of America competitions. Bob carves a great variety of subjects, and teaches classes in animal caricatures and themed bark houses. He lives in Lititz, Pa., with his wife, Debby.

The post Woodcarving Wednesdays: How to Carve Rocks appeared first on Woodcarving Illustrated.

In this week’s video, regular WCI contributor James Miller demonstrates how to carve and paint a simple, flat-plane gnome in one short sitting.

Interested in more? Check out Carving Flat-Plane Style Caricatures by Harley Refsal. Learn how to carve and paint charming caricatures in the traditional flat-plane style, with step-by-step instructions and 50 patterns.

Also, stay tuned for James Miller’s upcoming book, Carving Animals in the Flat-Plane Style—containing 16 step-by-step projects, from bears to squirrels to reindeer, as well as expert tips and detailed painting guides. Coming this fall and available for preorder now!

About the Author

James Miller started carving at the age of 11 under the tutelage of a supportive community education carving group. He has since become deeply immersed in the world of Scandinavian folk art. A software developer by trade, James enjoys the creative challenge of simplifying and abstracting forms in unique ways. For more of his work, visit Facebook.com/jrm.woodcarving.

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There’s something magical about playing in the yard and having a ladybug crawl across your finger. Get in the summer spirit by making your own crimson critter with this fun and whimsical project by Sara Barraclough.

What You’ll Need:

[button link=”https://wci.shortstack.com/40tb9M” bg_color=”#ff0000″]Get the ladybug pattern here! [/button]

Also, be sure to check out Weekend Whittling Projects. The booklet features step-by-step instructions, coordinating photography, and full-size patterns for a snail, bear, woodsman, and penguin. Author and talented woodcarver Sara Barraclough will guide you through each adorable project.

About the Author

Sara Barraclough lives in Southern Utah with her daughter. She started carving about two years ago to carry on her great-grandpa and great-great-grandpa’s carving legacy (they were Scandinavian master carvers). Find her on Etsy and Instagram @theclevercarver.

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Tom Hindes’ new whittling book is a winner for beginners

Best-selling author and whittling wizard Tom Hindes returns with another great book.

Whittling in Your Free Time is essential for any woodcarving novice, or even those who have a bit of experience and are looking to try something new. This must-have guide showcases a beginner-friendly flat-plane woodcarving style, and features 16 animal projects, each of which can be accomplished in just one short sitting. With simple step-by-step instructions, a dash of Tom’s witty humor, coordinating photography, and guidance on finishing each piece, Whittling in Your Free Time is a perfect resource for sharpening your carving skills.

Sean Syman, prolific carver and new WCI contributor, said the book is full of “nice, easy, approachable projects” and walks you through the “fundamentals of woodcarving.”

“One of the things I really appreciate is the mention of basic cuts you can do with your knife, and also the discussion of carving with the grain and how to best use woodgrain to your advantage,” he said.

Watch Sean’s full review here:

Sean grew up in New Zealand and enjoys making things with his hands, playing guitar, hiking, camping, sailing, and traveling. He currently lives in Toronto, Canada, and intends to explore the United States while living out of a camper van.

For his unique carvings, Sean uses a combination of woods—instead of paint— to achieve a natural contrast of tones. He enjoys working with hard woods like cherry, maple, and walnut, as well as the traditional basswood. A lot of his designs are inspired by Pokemon and other pop culture characters, and most recently, native birds from his homeland of New Zealand. To learn more about Sean and his carvings, visit Instagram @symanwoodcarving.

[button link=”https://www.foxchapelpublishing.com/whittling-in-your-free-time.html?utm_source=WHITTLINGFREETIME_WCIBLOG_SEANVIDEO&utm_campaign=WHITTLINGFREETIME_WCIBLOG_SEANVIDEO” bg_color=”#ff0000″]Buy the Book[/button]

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In this week’s video, woodcarving professional Chris Lubkemann demonstrates how to whittle an owl—using one knife and one piece of wood—in one short sitting.

Interested in learning more? This friendly guidebook from Chris Lubkemann features 18 step-by-step whittling projects for knives, forks, birds, animals, trees, flowers,and more. Also includes chapters on proper whittling tools and materials, what woods are best to carve, and how to start projects by selecting and safely sharpening the best knife for each project.

About the Author

Chris is the author of four other best-selling whittling books from Fox Chapel Publishing: The Little Book Of Whittling, Big Book Of Whittle Fun, Whittling Twigs & Branches, and Tree Craft. A child of missionaries, Chris Lubkemann grew up in the forests of Brazil and Peru, where he developed an appreciation for knives and entertained himself—and others—by handcrafting rafts, tree houses, traps, and slingshots from scrap wood. Since that time, he has continued to integrate his woodworking skills with good old-fashioned fun. Chris has carved some of the world’s smallest branch carvings, and his smallest branch rooster was given a Guinness World Record Certificate. Chris currently demonstrates whittling as the resident woodcarver at the Amish Farm and House in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

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The post Woodcarving Wednesdays: Whittle a Bird from a Branch appeared first on Woodcarving Illustrated.

Paint to a carve is like icing to a cake. It can enhance a piece and add depth and dimension that otherwise may not have been achievable. In this week’s video, Betty Padden demonstrates how to paint a pumpkin. Even if Halloween isn’t constantly on your mind (like it is for us), we encourage you to use her professional blending, highlighting, and shading techniques described in this video on any future carve.

Interested in more from Betty? Be sure to check out her workbook, Lettering & Sign Carving. The book offers a contemporary look at a nostalgic craft with updated techniques and a fresh variety of styles for carving and painting a variety of signs for the home, summer cottage or basement bar.

About the Author

Betty Padden and her husband, Bob, own Wooden Apple Signmakers in Auburn, Mass. They have been professional sign carvers for 35 years and have been teaching their craft to students for more than 30 years. They are the creators of SantaCarls®, a unique figure that has been sold at Disney parks and Busch Gardens. Betty also designs and paints for Ne’Qwa Art and Blossom Bucket, among other companies. Visit bettypadden.com for cut outs, patterns, and designs, and help for woodcarvers struggling with projects. See more of Betty’s work at woodenapplesignmakers.com.

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The post Woodcarving Wednesdays: Learn to Paint Highlights and Shadows appeared first on Woodcarving Illustrated.