Materials

• Basswood, 1 1/4″ (3.2cm) thick: 2 1/2″ x 3″ (6.4cm x 7.6cm)

• Tree limb slice, 3/4″ (1.9cm) thick: 2″ (5.1cm)-dia. 

• Toothpick

• Acrylic paints, such as Liquitex: burnt umber, Mars black, Payne’s grey, raw sienna, titanium white

• Clear finish (for base)

• Glue

Tools

• Carving knife

• Small gouge

• Woodburner with nibs: assorted

• Paintbrushes: assorted

• Drill with bit: 1/16″ (2mm)-dia.

Don Dearolf painted for several years before taking up carving in 1994 after his brother Dave took him to the Lancaster County Woodcarvers Show. Don loved to carve and share patterns, blanks, and rough outs with others.

Think Sharp

Behind the blade with Flexcut’s product manager Matt Retkowski
By Dorissa Bolinski

Peace, Man

Follow this guy to the biggest festival of the summer

By Bruce Ankeny

Classic Gnome

Walk in the enchanted forest with this friendly little character

By Mehmet Berat Tas

Magical Seahorse

Carve an elegant decoration that’s sure to please any fan of the open sea

By Birce Keser

Wacky Blade Cover

This funny tool guard will protect your favorite knife

By Mark Akers

Hummingbird and Crane

Soar above the clouds with miniature birds in flight

By Steve Tomashek

Crop Circles Frame

Use a burr meant for roughing out to carve a textured design

By Kristin LeVier

Realistic Atlantic Salmon

Reel in a trophy fish that looks like the real thing

By Charles Weiss

Celtic Chip Carving

Create a wall hanging or decorate a box lid with an ancient design

By Blandine Champagneur

Salty Sea Captain

Embark on a high seas adventure with a friendly seafaring gent

By Jonathan Creason

Happy Hopper

This charming fishing frog is ready to star in his own fairy tale

By Alice Wang

Diamond Rosettes

Take chip carving to the next level with four unique geometric designs

By Nikolas Rocha

Walking Farmer

Get a groove on and put some movement into your carvings

By Blake Lunsford

Sunflower Starburst

Catch the summer sun in a medium relief carving that exudes happiness

By Dustin Strenke

Easy Dolphin

Whittle a sweet, pocket-sized sea mammal

By Tom Hindes

Mustache Man

Curve the centerline to add interest and a natural flow to carvings

By Dave Dion

Tree Charmer

Carole Jean Boyd combines multiple styles in her imaginative carvings

By Dorissa Bolinski

Comfort Hearts

Carve a pocket full of cheer with these sweet Valentines

By Charlene Lynum

Chip-Carved Cross

Intricate cuts create a reverent masterpiece

By Marty Leenhouts

Folk Art Robin

The early bird gets the worm with this Americana-inspired piece

By Brooks Wilson

Bad Hair Day

Spring weather came in like a lion for this guy’s hilarious hair

By Kevin Applegate

Valentine Gnomes

Enhance the charm of this cute couple with folksy painting

By Roxana Cristean

Goofy Golf Balls

Hit a hole in one practicing expressions with these fun carves

By Tony Harris

Hidden Greenman

A mysterious woodland character lurks in found wood

By Alec LaCasse

First Date

Create a sense of movement with posture in this wistful character

By Jerry McNulty

Flat-Plane Viking

Carve a sea-faring caricature with just a few tools

By James Ray Miller

Climbing Squirrel

Add interest to your yard with a beginner-friendly chainsaw carving

By Pawel Drozd

Whimsical Mushroom

Hone your symmetry skills with this one-knife project

By Nikki Reese

Swizzle Stick

This comical wizard could use a little magic

By Chris Hammack

Sleek Bunny

Hop to it with a smooth rabbit carving

By Tom Mellott

Chickadee in Acorn Nest

Bring the outdoors in with a flock of tiny bird carvings

By Steve Tomashek

Cup and Saucer

Add depth to shallow relief carvings

By Mary May

MATERIALS

• Wood, such as basswood or birch ornament rounds

• Graphite transfer paper

• White rubber eraser

• Acrylic paints: assorted

•Finish, such as spray lacquer: semi-gloss

TOOLS

• Micromotor with small bits or small hand gouges

• Woodburner with nibs: small writer, skew

Carving it Up in Colorado

Woodchips fly at the annual Carvin’ the Rockies show

By Dorissa Bolinski

Santa’s Journey Home

Stars light the way for a weary St. Nick whose work is done

By Dale Green

Black-capped Chickadee

A found branch adds a touch of the natural world to a minimalist carving

By Wouter de Bruijn

The Gift Bearer

Welcome a friendly mouse to your house for the holidays

By Matt Kincade

Christmas Pickle Ornament

Have a chuckle searching the tree for this hiding prankster

By Jonathan Creason

Stumbling Santa

A sense of movement highlights this animated clumsy Santa

By Robert Rangel

Winter Barn Scene

Carve and paint a rustic winter landscape that’s easier than it looks

By Robert Stadtlander

Candle Choir

Add expressive character with easy shading and highlighting techniques

By Betty Padden

Undercover Santa

This jolly guy has a green thumb and a lesson to teach

By Russell Scott

Retro Christmas Ornament

Carve a string of festive holiday lights that will never shatter or burn out

By Brian K. Doty

Chip Carved Dala Horse

Frolicking folklore design makes
a charming decoration

By Charlene Lynum

Christmas Mornin’ Bear

This sleepy guy had a long night wrapping presents

By Rich Wetherbee

Steampunk Santa

Stylish fantasy Santa is ready for
a sci-fi adventure

By Tony Harris

Wine Rack

Showcase a wine bottle and glasses
with a chip-carved display

By Marty Leenhouts

Easy Christmas Tree

Stuff some stockings with these
tiny topiaries

By David Young

Carved Christmas Wreath

Strategic layering and undercutting lend depth to a festive decoration

By Mary May

Family heirlooms aren’t Richard’s only source for materials; often, the perfect pieces turn up in unlikely places. “I find things everywhere, from beaches and antique shops to my own firewood pile,” he said.

In 1992, Richard volunteered to help carve architectural embellishments for a new community center in his hometown of Shawnigan Lake, a village on Vancouver Island, B.C. Even though he had no previous carving experience, Richard was all too eager to be taken under the wing of the late George Norris, who specialized in traditional European chip carving. “George organized the project for the center, and I was so lucky to learn woodcarving from a master carver like him,” he said.

Richard soon became hooked on woodcarving and started making designs of his own. One day, a finished bird sculpture developed a deep split after being left out in the sun. Instead of discarding it, Richard covered the crack with metal feathers. “It was a happy accident in hindsight,” he said.

Richard adds intricate chip carving designs to his projects.

Once his metal-and-wood hybrid bird materialized, Richard’s imagination took flight. He began modifying other elements by experimenting with chip carving, stains, and inks. Richard also tried to challenge himself by creating designs based on the forests and animals that surround his island home, sometimes adding exaggerated features like teeth, colorful eyes, and mythical armor.

Richard uses whatever he can get his hands on to turn the ideas in his head into reality. “With each bit of scrap metal and wood, I get to craft new artifacts from old ones and pay tribute to the creatures that inspired them,” he said.

To see more of Richard’s work, visit @bastard_file on Instagram.

Salmon made out of yellow cedar and repurposed metal bits.

Magic Touch

Cecilia Schiller’s entertaining automata encourage interaction

By Dorissa Bolinski

Stylish Leprechaun Caricature

Practice adding accessories with this swaggering man-about-town

By Mehmet Berat Tas

Buckle Up!

Fun and wearable carving might encourage some fish stories

By Bob Kozakiewicz

Chip Carved Bracelet

Easy bangle makes an impressive statement piece

By Charlene Lynum

It’s Elementary!

Solve the riddle of capturing a caricature’s essence with this ode to Sherlock Holmes

By Kevin Applegate

Butterfly and Flower Pyrography

A clever coloring technique gives life to this organic wood burning

By Shannon Lyon

Desk Clock

Set aside some time to chip carve this striking office accessory

By Marty Leenhouts

Realistic Walleye

Whopping trophy is a fisherman’s dream

By Charles Weiss

Caricature-Chef Bottle Stopper

Add some joie de vivre to your dinners with this quick and fun carve

By W. Todd Martin

Interlocking Heart Relief

Surprise your one-and-only with a piece of Celtic-inspired wall art

By Lisa Laughy

Carving a Leaf Spoon

Finish this nature-inspired utensil with milk paint accents

By Elizabeth Weber

Stylized Shorebird

Smooth avian project puts the “sand” in “sanderling”

By Wouter de Bruijn

Power-Carved Bullfrog

Sculpt a full-size pond dweller so lifelike, you’ll expect him to ribbit

By B. David Duncan

Balancing Stones

Find your Zen with this easy branch whittling project

By L. P. Parslow

My Cat Pearl

This cute calico caricature is ready to pounce

By Floyd Rhadigan

Flying Dragon

Flat-plane carving style lends a scaly look to this beast of lore

By Dave Atkin

Easy Gnome

Build your confidence with a simple face you don’t have to paint

By Birce Keser

Soap Rabbit

Quickly carve a nest of bunnies to brighten any bathroom

By Makiko Sone

Power-Carved Eagle Log

Different colors of wood from the same log make this bird of prey soar

By Jordy Johnson

Making a Hook Knife

Treat your spoon projects to a handmade tool that’s inexpensive to construct

By Doug Stowe

Alphabetical Arboretum Woodcut

From A to Z, these leaves make an attractive handmade print

By Beth Lewis

Power Carving Basics

Getting started power carving? Here are a few main things to consider

By Staff of Woodcarving Illustrated

Selecting the Right Power Carving Equipment

Follow these wisdoms to build your dream kit

By Dave Hamilton, Jack Kochan, Frank Russell, and Chuck Solomon

Choosing Power Carving Bits

Make smart purchases with a basic understanding of the cutters available

By Dave Hamilton and Chuck Solomon

Tools for Removing Wood Quickly

We test-drive the hardiest “toys” on the market

By Staff of Woodcarving Illustrated

Introduction to Reciprocating Carvers

Blend an edged-tool texture with the speed of a power carver

By Staff of Woodcarving Illustrated

Power Carving Safety

Anticipate potential dangers for a safer shop experience

By Dave Hamilton, Jack Kochan, Frank Russell, and Chuck Solomon

Dust Collection Roundup

Consider these options for keeping your woodshop—and lungs—free of dust

By Jon Deck

Cleaning and Maintaining Bits

Prolong the life of burrs with these quick hacks

By Frank Russell

Woodburning Tips

Learn why pyrography is a key skill to add to your arsenal

By Staff of Woodcarving Illustrated

Airbrushing on the Cheap

You could have two-thirds of an airbrush setup hiding in your workshop!

By Jon Deck

Micromotors: A Master Class

Get your hands on some tips and techniques for micromotor power carving

By Kristin LeVier

Carolina Wren

Carve a bird so lifelike it’ll make you do a double take

By B. David Duncan

Smoking Garden Gnome

This spunky character comes with a pipe and a whole lot of personality

By Edgar Shrum

Crescent Moon Wand

Make a little magic for the fantasy fan in your life

By Tamara Seevers

Three-Point Ribbon

Create a classic wooden whimsy with just a rotary tool and a knife

By Garth Burgon

Hardwood Mouse

Transform colorful scraps into a cute little rodent on a bed of leaves

By Paul Purnell

Ice Skate Ornament

Add an unexpected embellishment to an easy holiday ornament

By Keoma McCaffrey

Tiny T. Rex

This king of lizards will be a hit with dino lovers of all ages

By Brian Altison

Realistic Bear Head

Make this handsome beast without endless hours of fur texturing   

By Lori Andrews

Carving the Female Face

Master the technique of sculpting a human portrait

By Chris Howard

Power-Carved Pirate Ship

Indulge your inner pirate by making a miniature Jolly Roger

By Benjamin Tyler

Realistic Tropical Fish

Hone your fish-carving skills on a vibrant reef dweller

By James Spencer

Golden Eagle Walking Stick

Dress up a functional cane with this glorious raptor

By Paul Purnell

Autumn Jewelry

Sculpt a lovely array of wearable acorns and leaves

By Keoma McCaffrey

Making a Rustic Measuring Cup

Power carve a kitchen staple from salvaged wood

By David Drake

Rolling Pin Santa

Use a reciprocating carver to give old utensils a new face

By Randy George

Great Horned Owl

Let the chips fly where they may with this striking
chainsaw sculpture

By Michael Robinson

Getting Started

Transfer the patterns for the bird and base to the blanks. Use a piece of carbon or graphite paper. Cut the bird side view first using a band saw. Tape the pieces back together with clear packaging tape, and then cut out the top view. Separate and discard the scrap pieces from the cutout. Then cut the base.

Sketch a centerline starting at the beak, moving up and over the crown of the head to the tip of the tail. Draw the main landmarks, such as the head, beak, wings, and feet. Refer to the pattern, using a measuring scale or calipers for accuracy.

Step 1

Rough-shape the bird. Using a cone-shaped carbide-point bit, follow the lines you just made, thinning the neck and back areas to distinguish the wings and head from the torso. Switch to a tapered ruby bit. Round the head, moving from the beak to the crown. The crown should be noticeably smaller in circumference than the neck area. Make a small valley on either side of the head where the eyes will go, moving back from the brows to the nape of the neck until the valleys almost meet. Thin and round the tail.

Step 2

Separate the wing parts. Use the same bit. Contour the head, cheeks, and beak. Add round wells for the eyes. Sand the entire bird with 220-grit sandpaper or 240-grit Abranet®.

Step 3

Draw feathers onto the wing parts and tail. Refer to the pattern. Then lay a cylinder-shaped blue ceramic stone on its side and cut individual feathers into each wing and on the top and bottom of the tail.

Step 4

Fill out the feather texture. Lay a tapered cylinder-shaped white ceramic stone on its side and carve individual feathers on the cheeks, breast area, sides, and back of the bird. With the same stone, round each feather, and then carve the barbs. Add feather splits.

Step 5

Draw and carve the individual head feathers. Use a narrow, pointed ruby bit. Start at the beak and increase the feather size as you work toward the back.

Step 6

Round off and break the sharp corners of each feather. Use a sanding stick with a band of 220-grit sandpaper. Texture the head feathers with the tapered cylinder-shaped white ceramic stone.

Step 7

Burn the wing and tail feather texture. Use a bent shader tip in a woodburner. Don’t forget to add in the feather quills during this step.

Step 8

Burn in the barbs. Use the point of a skew tip. Add feather splits where desired. Note: To keep the burner tip clean and sharp, lay a piece of sandpaper on a flat surface. Then lay the burner tip at a sharp angle and run it across the sandpaper to remove any grit or grime.

Step 9

Set in the eyes. Make sure that the eye sockets are big enough to accommodate 3/16″ (5mm)-dia. brown eyes. The eyes should sit far enough into the socket that when looking at the bird’s head from above, you see just a bit of each one. Using a dental tool, place some epoxy putty in the eye sockets to hold the eyes in place. Then form a small ribbon of epoxy and place it around the eyes to form the eye rings. Work the epoxy around the eyes and blend it into the wood as feathers.

Step 10

Shape the feet. Note: Wear eye protection when performing this step. Cut six pieces of 1/32″ (1mm)-dia. brass rod into 1″ (2.5cm) lengths. Bend a radius on one end of each piece to form a nail shape, and then pound the nail flat. Hold the straight end of the brass rod with small locking pliers. Grind the nail to shape using a ball-shaped fluted carbide cutter bit. Bend the toes to shape after grinding.

Step 11

Attach the feet. Drill six holes 1/16″ (2mm) in diameter by 9/32″ (7mm) deep in the bottom of the bird; refer to the pattern. Cut 1/16″ (2mm)-deep grooves from the outer body to the holes. Place a small amount of cyanoacrylate (CA) glue on the toe shafts and insert the toes into the holes. Drill a 3/16″ (5mm)-deep hole in the bottom center of the bird to accommodate a 1/8″ (3mm)-dia. wood dowel.

Step 12

Draw the bark lines. Sketch a circle 1/4″ (6mm) in from the edge. Add spokes at regular intervals going out toward the edge, and then carve along these lines using the tapered ruby bit. Make random vertical cuts all around the outside of the base to simulate bark texture. Drill a 3/16″ (5mm)-deep hole in the center of the base for the wood dowel.

Step 13

Define the rings. Cut around the inside and outside of each bark section with the pointed ruby bit. Add growth rings fanning out from the central dowel hole. Use the same bit.

Step 14

Shape the bark pieces. Break sharp corners and remove rough edges in and around each bark section with a piece of 240-grit Abranet or 220-grit sandpaper. Slightly round the top of each bark section.

Step 15

Add more bark details. Burnish the sections of bark using a ball stylus. The bark should look rough and bumpy. Then glue the dowel in place.

Step 16

Spray the bird and base with clear satin finish. The project will be easier to finish if mounted on a paint stick. Paint the bird, referring often to the Paint Notes on page X. (I use a #6 round brush to apply base coats and a 1/8″ (3mm) angular shading brush for drybrushing and detailing.) Once done, shade all feathers and feather splits by adding just a slight touch of black to the basecoat colors and apply around the bottom of each feather. Scrape the excess paint from the glass eyes with a knife. Do not use sandpaper. Let the paint dry, and then attach the bird to the dowel with cyanoacrylate (CA) glue.

Paint Notes

Cap, bib, beak: Mars black

Breast, cheeks, rump, highlights to feather-edges and toes: titanium white

Side flanks: raw sienna, titanium white (blend into the white areas of the breast and rump with a watery brush)

Back and shoulder area: raw umber, ultramarine blue, titanium white (mix to a brownish grey)

Top of wings, tail: burnt umber, Payne’s gray, ultramarine blue, titanium white (mix to a dark grey)

Toes: burnt umber, Payne’s gray, small amount of titanium white

Base (first coat): yellow oxide, titanium white

Base (second coat): watered-down Payne’s gray and burnt umber (use to darken growth rings and cracks)

Base highlights: drybrush titanium white

Underside of tail and wings: neutral gray

MATERIALS

• Tupelo, 1 3/4″ (4.4cm) thick: 1 3/4″ x 3 1/4″ (4.4cm x 8.3cm)

• Tupelo, 1/2″ (1.3cm) thick: 2 1/2″ (6.4cm) square

• Wood dowel: 1/8″ (3mm)-dia., 5/16″ (8mm) long

• Glass eyes: two, 5mm-dia. brown

• Brass rod: 1/32″ (1mm)-dia., 6″ (15.2cm) long

• Carbon or graphite paper

• Epoxy putty

• Finish: clear satin, such as Deft

• Acrylic paint (see Paint Notes above)

• Glue: cyanoacrylate (CA)

• Sandpaper: 220-grit or 240-grit Abranet

• Tape: clear packaging

TOOLS

• Drill with bits: assorted small

• Knife (optional)

• Band saw

• Graphite pencil

• Measuring scale or calipers

• Rotary tool

• Ruby bits: tapered, pointed

• Blue ceramic stone: cylinder

• Fluted carbide cutter: ball-shaped

• Carbide-point bit: cone-shaped

• White ceramic stone: tapered cylinder

• Stick with 220-grit sandpaper band

• Woodburner with nibs: skew, bent shader

• Ball stylus

• Locking pliers

• Dental tool

• Paintbrushes: #6 round, 1/8″ (3mm) angular shader

Butch Clark lives in rural Darke County, Ohio, with his wife, Janie. He began carving in 1992, specializing in realistic songbirds, and now teaches classes on songbirds and their habitat. Butch is a member and past president of the “Brukner Nature Carvers” woodcarving club in Troy, Ohio. He has won numerous awards at woodcarving shows throughout the Midwest and East Coast. Contact Butch at butch0547@embarqmail.com.