Wood carvers, advice needed.?
I spent this past week in Estes Park, CO. While walking through the many shops, I noticed a resounding theme, wood carvings. Some were extremely large and elaborate, and some were very simple little figurines. I found myself thinking, maybe this would make a good winter hobby for me. I have always had an artistic streak and can draw fairly well, and many years ago, I took woodshop in school. So, I am comfortable around sharp tools.
My question is, how do I get started? Should I just go out and buy a good carving knife and a piece of soft wood, and start carving to get a feel for it? Or, should I take a class? Buy a book?
Whats the best way to get started without investing alot of money?
First of all, hit the internet and the library for basic information on carving. You might check to see if there is a wood carving or whittling group near you - also called chip carving as in making birds and decoys. Depending on the scale you want to work in, you will need larger or smaller tools and clamps to hold the wood. Depending on what you plan, you may need draw knives and gouges and re-learn how to sharpen them. In Estes Park, it is likely that many of the carvings are from found wood for a natural and arty look but that is harder to carve/shape than uniformly soft wood like basswood or tulip or poplar.
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