Hand Carving a Simple Reindeer

Easy-to-carve deer is the perfect complement to your holiday display

By Don Swartz

Carve this rustic deer as a stand-alone project or size the pattern to create the perfect complement to your favorite carved Santa. Use twigs for the antlers to add to the rustic charm and simplify the carving process.

I use knives, chisels, and gouges to carve the deer, leaving the tool marks visible. Use power carving tools or sand away the tool marks and woodburn fur texture for a more realistic reindeer.

Create a herd of deer and give one a red nose in honor of Santa’s favorite reindeer, Rudolph. Add leather reins and position the deer in front of a sleigh for a dramatic mantel display.

The pattern for this reindeer is based on drawings from Doug Lindstrand’s Alaska Sketchbook.

Materials:
• Basswood, clear white pine, or jelutong: 1 1/2″ x 5″ x 5 1/4″ (38mm x 12.7cm x 13.3cm)
• Fresh twigs: 2 each
• Acrylic paints: smoked pearl, skin tone base, burnt umber, raw sienna
• Clear or satin spray finish, spray lacquer, or finish of choice

Tools:
• Carving knife
• Wide flat gouge
• #5 palm gouges: 1/4″ (6mm), 1/2″ (13mm)
• #7 gouge: 1/2″ (13mm)
• Small veiner
• Small V-tool
• Woodburner with a skew tip
• Assorted paintbrushes
• Drill with bit: 1/8″ (3mm) dia.

CLICK HERE to download the Simple Reindeer Patterns.

For further reading check out Carving Deer by Desiree Hajny. This handy reference guide to carving deer features detailed patterns, reference photos, anatomy sketches, and expert tips for texturing, painting, and finishing. The book is available for purchase from www.foxchapelpublishing.com for $12.99 plus S&H.