Chris Pye's Woodcarving Course & Reference Manual: A Beginner's Guide to Traditional Techniques (Fox Chapel Publishing) Relief Carving and In-the-Round Step-by-Step

by Chris Pye

A comprehensive guide akin to having a one-on-one course with a master carver! The first step into a new craft can be Where to start? What tools to buy? What projects to begin with? Thanks to author and internationally acclaimed woodcarver Chris Pye, this guide is filled with everything a beginning woodcarver needs to know. Chris Pye's Woodcarving Course & Reference Manual is akin to having a one-on-one course with a master carver. You'll learn what to look for in a workbench, the importance of commissioning your carving tools—there's more to it than just sharpening!—and how to make exacting cuts and execute a variety of techniques. Like any good instructor, Pye includes practice exercises to make you comfortable with the tools and techniques so you can build your skills and carve with confidence. His warm, conversational teaching style will encourage you as you follow the step-by-step instructions and work on a number of motifs, as well as projects for low, high, and pierced relief, and in-the-round. This resource is a collection of tips and tricks honed over many years, and will mentor newcomers and serious beginning woodcarvers alike. Novice crafters will find quick success and encouragement working on a number of carving motifs and three projects for both relief and in-the-round styles. For serious beginners eager to know more about a timeless craft, this go-to reference provides an answer to every question. With the help of Chris Pye's Woodcarving Course & Reference Manual , you'll learn to

Genres: Woodwork, Nonfiction, Reference

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[Serge Pierro · Rating 4 out of 5]

While there are many beginner books on the market for Woodcarving, many of them skim the surface of the subject and leave more questions unanswered, than answered. Veteran carver, Chris Pye, takes a different approach, as he has produced a book that is useful not only as a beginner's course on woodcarving, but also an invaluable Reference Manual for the student to look back on as their skills improve.

The first section of the book is devoted to the important subjects of: Tools, Woods and Grips/Cuts. Each of these are covered nicely and Pye gives excellent advice on each of the subjects.

The book is composed of only six main projects, yet the way they are arranged is interesting, as they progress from a fairly shallow bas relief to those of greater depth and then moving onto three dimensional projects in the round. Each of the projects gives clear and incisive commentary on the techniques used, as well as provided numerous photos of the progress and inner thoughts.

Overall this is an excellent book to have in one's collection on Woodcarving. The instruction is top rate and certainly something that you will want to read again somewhere down the line. I loved how the book progressed from learning basic cuts and methodically progressed to the carvings in the round at the end. Clearly if you follow his advice and course you will have a good foundation on tool usage and traditional techniques.

[michael asher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for the beginner or skilled carver who wants to try relief carving. The book takes 2 carvings a low & a high relief carvings of a fish. It goes into good detail of what & why you have to do at any given time during the course. You will need about 11 carving tools and a way too sharpen them. It is a good book for getting the skills you need to go & try your own project with a greater feel of confidence.

[Dan Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

My original plan was not to rate this book until I had completed the carving exercises. However, given the pace at which I carve, the book my crumble into dust before I got that far. But I feel confident enough that I have a sense of how well Pye guides one through a project that I'm rating it now. Where this book excelled was in its introductory material covering tools and techniques. (It was so good, that it lead me to buy Pye's 2-volume set Woodcarving Tools, Material & Equipment: Volume 1 and Woodcarving: Tools, Materials & Equipment Volume 2). The carving projects are clearly described, well illustrated/photographed, and easy to follow.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how well the projects are explained, now if I can do them and still have all my fingers still attached

[Brenda Santos Berrones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

Love it. Easy to understand and have much pics and easy information that shows how to practice. Really its a very good book helps me a lot.

[Rik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should be noted it’s not for a novice. To be fair I only skimmed and did not do any exercises . Would use again for real training.