Product Description
After the great success of Santa and His Friends, Tom Wolfe presents a group of traditional Santas that have been found in American Art, literature, and advertising since the 1860s and have a warm place in the imaginations of children and the memories of adults. With easy to follow, step-by-step instructions accompanied by full color photos, this is a great book for the beginning and intermediate carver. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A great carving book!
I purchased this book about 8 years ago, and am just now getting around to actually doing the "primary" Santa depicted in it.
This is a great book for beginner to intermediate carvers.It's chock full of photos, and has the finished product depicted from several different angles......all at a great price, too!Buy this book! ... Read more

Product Description
Over 270 clear, color photos and 53 pattern drawings show how to creature sculpture from soap, using simple wooden tools. You can learn to carve twelve well-known and much-loved dwellers of the oceans and coral reefs, including the clownfish, starfish, octopus, seahorse, penguin, orca, sperm whale, sea otter, manatee, queen angelfish, sea lion, and beluga. The projects begin simply with the starfish and increase in complexity. Carvers will produce soap carvings in low and high relief, in the round, single piece style, and figures created from fused raw material. Several methods for finishing and mounting are also discussed. Additionally, the natural history of these fascinating creatures is included. ... Read more

Product Description
Front, top, side views, characteristic markings of fox sparrow, purple finch, barn swallow, downy woodpecker, northern mockingbird, western tanager, horned lark, five other familiar species. Advice on selecting tools, woods; detailed carving directions, more. Individual portraits in lifelike settings.
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Customer Reviews (2)

Fine for folk style birds
In response to the criticism of this book I felt obliged to say that this book and Hillman books are fine books for a folk style of bird carving (or decoy making). These are not to be compared to fine detailed pattern and instructional books. Hillman's are based on simple carving techniques and no woodburning, ie. "smoothies". This is not a bad place for beginner carvers to start, it will help you get started and have a few patterns to try out. Generally, there are no painting instruction in these pattern books. You may want to try your own or pickup a painting book as well.

Hillman series are a joke!
I could post this about any Hillman book.

These are not instructional carving books. They are patterns...and not even good ones. The patterns are side view and lifeless. The top and front views cannot even be used to cut out the blank!...they are 'information only'.

If you are a novice bird carver and wish to purchase instructional books get Lori Corbett or Ernest Muehlmatt's ... Read more

Product Description
For thirty years, Modeling the Figure in Clay has been an indispensable anatomical resource for people who think, see, and understand form best in the round: sculptors. In the thirtieth anniversary edition of this classic work, master sculptor Bruno Lucchesi invites you on a guided tour of the human form. Follow him as he creates a figure in clay—literally from the inside out—starting with the skeleton, laying on the muscles to show male and female anatomy, and finishing with a complete figure sculpture with every detail of face and hair carefully modeled.
 
BRUNO LUCCHESI’s work has been added to the collections of the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Dallas Museum, among many others. Lucchesi has received awards from the National Academy, the National Arts Club, and the Architectural League. He was a Guggenheim Fellow in 1962-1963, he won a Gold Medal award from the National Academy of Design in 1990, and was awarded the Polich Tallix Foundry Prize from the National Sculpture Society in 2009. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Better titled "Anatomy for Artists"
I was looking for a book with better instruction on the technique of figure modeling.Ended up returning this.This is just a walk through of human anatomy demonstrated in clay with very little information provided.Even as an anatomy book it's poor.First make a skeleton from clay, then apply muscles, then skin/subcutaneous tissue and voila! a perfect figure.This is really the extent of instruction provided here.The sculptor seems to be trying to demonstrate that essential characteristics of the finished form should be established from the very beginning of work - so it's noteworthy that in the book he's working on a clearly MALE skeleton and ending up with a female form at the end.

Great book!
This is a perfect book if you want to learn how to build a sculpture form bone, muscle, to skin.There are beautiful pictures of works he has done before I I like the detail that was put in each step.I loved how you can see the wonderful process from start to finish.It is amazing how much I have learned from the steps he takes here.So far I have a work-in-progress sculpture but it is turning out great!

Modeling the Figure ib Clay
I went to several bookstores in search of a good book on modeling the human figure in clay and was very disappointed on their awful selection. After a few minutes on Amazon.com I found the perfect book.

Interesting perspective
I actually didn't think this was really a book about the artist's method, despite what he might say - I think he was trying to show that to accurately portray the OUTSIDE of the human body, or ANY living thing, we've got to know what's going on INSIDE, and this was his way of learning the human body from the inside out. I'm more inclined to think that he uses fills like many of us do, because if he tries to fire that sucker, it's going to blow up in the kiln. If he's going to do a mold, he's got the undercut issue to deal with. What he probably does with THESE clay sculptures is what artists do so often that the rest of the world can't imagine - he puts it back in the slip bucket and recycles it!

Two lessons in one
This excellent book teaches you accurate anatomy at the same time as providing quality instruction on figure sculpting. ... Read more

Product Description
Here are reconstructions of the complete original plans and directions for carving some of the famous Dentzel Philadelphia-style animals--Cherni's beloved flirting rabbit, Muller's exquisite military and armored horses, plus other horses and menagerie animals--a total of 35 projects. Color photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Compliment to this book
If you found this book useful and enjoy wood carving and carousel horses, you will also love this new book coming out in October 2010 by The Connecticut Press called "Flying Horses: The Golden Age of American Carousel Art, 1870 - 1930.".It contains over 150 high quality images of carousel horses, many of which were from Coney Island, and their history.The photographs are superb so you can really appreciate the wood carving details, as well as the history of their carvers.You can get more info on Facebook by searching "Flying Horses."ISBN: 978-0-9825468-2-6 ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

If you like carving birds, you'll love this book!
This book, plus the three others in this series, are a super find for anyone doing bird carving. They include background info on each bird, instructions and most importantly, a pattern showing the side view, the top view and front view. Tips on making feet, how to texture and burn your bird are covered and suggestions for mounting are included. I am in a weekly woodcarving club and I have seen the owl, hummingbird and the robin carved from patterns in this book and they looked really good. I carved a pair of chickadees that I am very proud of. This book shows only bird patterns, Lehman's other books cover other birds, plus a few animals. You really need to get all of his books for yourself--and to make yourself popular with other carvers. My only complaint, and it is just a minor one, is that I wish that information on painting the completed projects had been included. ... Read more

Product Description
The organization of Ice Carving Made Easy, Second Edition allows for carvers of every proficiency to use the book with success. Each stage of creating a carving is discussed, from the manufacturing of ice to the final presentation. Each of the 34 sculptures presented is supported with step-by-step instructions that allow you to create show-pieces that will add a special touch to banquets, buffets, and special events. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great cover picture....that's about it!
I am just thankfull that I personally didn't have to cough up the forty someodd bucks paid for this.The title should read "Money from an Ice Carving Book - Made Easy".Some nice pictures, but zero substance.Most of the template drawings are not even in the proper ratio for a 300lb carving block.And how about this for step by step instruction: 1. Prepare your graph 2. Lay the ice on a piece of Styrofoam.3. With a saw, remove any ice not required.4. Shape out the tail and wings.5. Smooth out the detail.6. Finish the base.That's it!No kidding! Real helpful eh?!I guess the best way to learn to carve ice is to just get ice and practice.This book certainly isn't going to give you any help, tips or secrets - that's for sure!

ice carving made easy
From a realistic point of view, the book doesn't help a whole lot. Unless you are a japanese master, you will struggle with the vague instructions. The pictures are very nice, but that's about it.

nice pictures, vague descriptions
The author makes good use of templates and photographs, however the written instructions are very vague and not very helpful.(i.e. carve the head, shape the wing, etc.) ... Read more

Product Description
A highly illustrated, step-by-step guide to carving a variety of original pieces from wood in both sculpture and relief. Featuring ten carefully graded projects, advice on materials and equipment; guidance on techniques; and 200 helpful photographs and line drawings. 160 pp 7 1/2 x 10 8 pp color & 200 b/w photos & drawings ... Read more

Product Description
Step-by-step directions, accurately detailed illustrations (profile and top view) for painting western tanager, American goldfinch, red-winged blackbird, 13 more. All depicted in life-size top and side views. Tips on selecting brushes and paints and applying colors.
... Read more

Product Description
An exciting new subject for woodcarvers is shared by one of its foremost artists. James Fliger introduces fish carving by presenting four projects: the rainbow trout, the bluegill sunfish, the black crappie, and channel catfish. A graphic artist by profession, Jim has created beautiful patterns and drawings to help the carver. The book is further illustrated with black-and-white photographs showing the carving techniques in the step-by-step fashion that is so helpful to wood carvers. For the all-important painting steps, color graphics are used with photographs to give the readers an accurate view. Additionally, color photographs from nature and a portfolio of size-winning fish carving is presented. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Freshwater Fish Carving
The book Freshwater fish carving was just as discribed! The book is excellent in providing how to carve fish decoys. ... Read more

Product Description
Long before their history was written, the Nisga'a and other people of North America used totem poles to teach about the past. It was important for children to learn their cultural history, all the way back to mythical times. Vickie Jensen takes us behind the scenes into the carving shed as she describes the various steps that go into carving and raising a totem pole. Photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Carving a Totem Pole
Excellent. Giving the history and background of the carver, his style, the "why" he carves his way, along with the "how". ... Read more

Product Description
For caricature carvers the greatest challenges and the greatest rewards come from carving the head and face. This is where the personality of the figure resides. The exaggerated nose, the enlarged ears, the toothy or toothless grin...they all combine to give the figure a story we can understand at a glance. In this new book, Tom Wolfe concentrates on the caricature head by carving busts. About 8 inches tall, these carvings give plenty of room for detail, and allow the carver to explore new ways of giving expression to their work. One figure is carved step-by-step, with clear color photographs illustrating each technique. They carry the reader from laying the pattern on the blank to the final painting. Also included are patterns for 15 other figures, including military, western, and Victorian characters, and a full color gallery of 23 finished busts, each shown from four angles. This is an important guide for caricature carvers, and will lead to hours of learning and pleasure. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

A Method for both Practice and Completion
I have successfully carved two busts in wood, yet I lack confidence in leaving adequate wood particularly in the cheeks and bulges for the eyes.The Geisler-Moroder method guides you into slicing an outline of major parts so as to leave room for detail to follow.This is exactly the practice I need; besides, I respect the 1930's era "brave new world" industrial look of this method either as a starting point or an end in itself.

Not for beginners!
If you're looking for a step-by-step procedure with a lot of detail photos--this isn't it.Rather, this is a very basic intro to the Geisler-Moroder method of establishing the basic planes of the human face and head.If you have carved heads before, this is a good excercise in proportion and learning how to establish the reference lines for turning the head away from the "straight-on" look in most carving books.If you're shopping for a carving vacation spot in europe, this will definitely motivate a trip to the Geisler-Moroder school, which was probably the reason for this book.For example, in the photo section on types of finishing we find that the painted bust was painted:"with an 'antique painting' technique...and mastering it takes lots of patience, time and special skills".That was helpful, wasn't it? ... Read more

Product Description
During the early years of the nation, the eagle was adopted as the symbol of America. From that time to this it has been a favorite subject of carvers. It has adorned buildings, signs, furniture, and boats. It has carried banners of E. Pluribus Unum and Happy New Year. And it is cherished still. In this new book Paul White takes the carver through the process of carving a large traditional bald eagle. Beginning with the gluing of the boards and sculpting and ending with a helpful description of gold leafing, Paul explains each step in detail. For those who wish to get right to the carving he also explains the use of commercially prepared blanks. A measured drawing of the project is included, as well as a gallery of variations. A wonderful book for carvers of all abilities. ... Read more

Product Description
Following the tremendous success of his first book, Tom Wolfe now offers his most popular wood-carving with step-by-step instructions. Tom attributes the popularity of his Pig Pickin' carving to nostalgia. This work harkens people back to a simpler time, when the hog harvest was a community event. Everyone shared in the festivities...and the food. Tom makes the directions clear and each step is illustrated with a photograph. Because the book starts with the bandsawing of the pattern and continues through the painting, even a novice should be able to complete the project. At the same time, the seasoned carver will benefit from Tom's technique and expertise, and everyone will enjoy Tom's anecdotes about country life. ... Read more

Product Description
You've got to crack some eggs to make an omelet, and that's just what author Tom Wolfe has done. Tom finds out what is inside those wooden eggs found at craft stores and woodworking suppliers. This an interesting and informative book goes from the blank egg, through drawing, and finishing. Step-by-step the reader is taken through two projects, a caricature head and a bird, learning the techniques of good caricature carving from one of the best. Each step is photographed in a clear, color image, with concise, easy-to-understand explanations of what is happening and how to do it. This is the perfect book for beginning carvers and old dogs looking to learn new tricks! ... Read more

Product Description
The book is designed to open flat while being used, and the texts point out important details to be observed. Full-size patterns of all the major types of shore birds included dimensions and identifying characteristics so that the wood carvers can create their own shore birds. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good patterns, little detail
I took a stab in the dark at a book to help me get ideas for my first carving project, and while this book has some side view patterns, and a few top views that is pretty much it.There is little to no detail beyond that.If you know what you're doing this may be exactly what you are looking for, if you're just getting started there may be better books available.

EXCELLENT BASIC PATTERN BOOK.
I carve and paint (at least I make a feeble effort at it) birds.I have hundreds of books and pictures of various birds, shore birds included.Each, in it's own way, is quite helpful, coupled with my personal observations of the birds themselves in the wild.This work is quite good.Excellent scale in provided and the color is quite good.Using this work and others, to pick up more detail, one should be able to work at their peak ability.Recommend this one highly. ... Read more

Product Description
Here is a comprehensive look at the carving and painting techniques needed to create a beautiful and lifelike representation of the green-wing teal, one of the most colorful and easily distinguished of ducks. Master carver Jeffrey Moore starts with a preshaped, duplicated bird to simplify the rough carving process, then demonstrates the use of burning and high speed texturing equipment to achieve remarkable carving detail and realism. Detailed instructions accompany each color photograph, with variations in carving the hen and drake clearly shown and explained. Tips for carving the feathers, heads, and primaries, all easily accomplished by the average carver, are provided. Once the carving is completed, the book takes the reader through step by step airbrushing and brush painting techniques needed to complete each of the birds. Colors, painting tips, and finishing steps are all provided to help you achieve an elegant and wonderfully realistic teal. ... Read more