Decorative Woodcarving : The Complete Course

Accompany a master woodcarving teacher as he reveals the secrets of his art--and build skills, confidence, and creativity. Decorative woodcarving brings ornamentation, depth, and pattern to a simple piece of wood. For everything from a wall plaque to furniture; the chisel or mallet equals the painter's brush. For the beginning carver, there's no more authoritative guide to tools, techniques, materials, and safety procedures than this complete course. Start with a Three Tear Drops design that provides a lesson in using the skew chisel. Progress to a Renaissance Style Leaf; a reproduction of a Colonial door panel; and repeating patterns. Carve pediments; lettering; a Jacobean cartouche; rolled scrolls; and more. Dozens of photographs--many taken in class--illustrate the right and the wrong way to proceed when picking up a chisel, knife, or mallet; making cuts; and carrying out a project. From drawing a design to completing a decoratively carved mirror, every detail is covered! 160 pages (all in color), 8 1/2 x 10.