Even though the WOOD BEE CARVER is primarily a knife carver, yet learning to carve using real carving tools and other carving styles is a way to stretch one’s horizons. As often as I have a chance I take a carving class for the experience of learning something new and challenging.
Every carver should consider taking a carving class from time to time for learning and inspiration. We can read and study carving books and magazines, be observant at wood carving shows and participate in woodcarving club activities, but nothing takes the place of participating in a carving class. One learns not only from the instructor but also from fellow students. And besides it is a great way to makes good friends. Read the rest of this entry »
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The carving subject called “The Fundamentalist” has been carved several times. The August 20, 2008 posting offers a tutorial on carving a six inch tall Fundamentalist. In this posting the approach will be to offer several photographs as a visual study in the various stages in the carving of two Fundamentalist, twelve inches tall. A visual study is to study each photograph by allowing the eye and mind to explore the carving progressions imagining the carving process. Sometimes this is the best way for self discovery rather than having everything spelled out without reading between the lines. Read the rest of this entry »
The WOOD BEE CARVER has always practiced “learning by doing” using the philosophy: “Would be carvers would be carvers if they would carve wood.” Within that philosophy is the awareness that “Woodcarving is more the journey than the destination,” which means that it is in doing the activity of carving that is more important that the completed carving. Read the rest of this entry »
Photographs of WHITTLE DOODLE VII taken by Jack Williams may be viewed under the Main Menu page at the left entitled “Whittle Doodle IV and VII” which shows all sides of doodling with a knife on a block of wood.
These Civil War soldiers stand four and a half inches tall with a one inch square base. Carved out of basswood using only a knife, these represent a carving style called “Whittle-Carving” to illustrate that one can sculpt with a knife. The figures are colored using the “Painting Softly” process described under that same title under the section to the left called “Navigation.” Read the rest of this entry »
These two Scottish Golfers wearing kilts were carved as commission pieces. One was a gift to a friend and the other was for the commissioner. Each was carved out of basswood six inches tall by one and three quarter of an inch square using traditional carving tools. The pose of each one is a challenge to carve legs crossed while leaning on a golf club, head turned slightly and other hand holding a pipe. The stripes to form the plaid effect were drawn first with a pencil to follow the contour and folds of the kilt and then wood burned. Read the rest of this entry »
“THOUGHT FOR FOOD” is a caricature carving of an unemployed professor using a play on words by reversing a familiar saying, “Food for Thought.” This carving depicts a “long in the face” professor who is out of work sitting on philosophy books and surrounded by philosophy books which contain the “Thought” that has shaped critical thinking through out the ages. Read the rest of this entry »
