Whittling Workbook: 14 Simple Projects to Carve

by James Ray Miller

Overview

The ultimate beginner-friendly project guide to whittling flat-plane carvings with a modern twist! Whittling Workbook is perfect for anyone seeking a range of easy wood carvings they can accomplish with just one knife – including roughing out. All you need is a block of wood and one knife to achieve any of the 14 wood carving projects featured within these pages! From a simple strawberry and a whimsical wand to a sailor, Martian, pig, and so much more, each project includes detailed step-by-step instructions to walk you through the entire process from start to finish. Also included are insightful overviews on basic carving cuts, painting and finishing techniques, safety notes, and how to join a carving community. Author James Miller is a recent college graduate and a protégé of decorated Scandinavian-style carver, Harley Refsal. James has been a regular contributor to Woodcarving Illustrated since 2010 and published his first book, Whittling Flat-Plane Animals, in 2020.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781497102705
Publisher:	Fox Chapel Publishing
Publication date:	04/26/2022
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

James Miller started carving at age 11 under the guidance of a supportive Community Education carving group. The members of this group introduced him to the Scandinavian flat-plane style, which sparked his ever-expanding interest in Scandinavian culture as a whole. This interest, and the support of mentors, family, and friends, has led him to become the youngest Vesterheim Gold Medalist woodworker, teach several classes, and demonstrate in numerous small-town events. In 2010, James’ work appeared in Woodcarving Illustrated for the first time as part of the Best Carving Design Contest. Several years later, through the encouragement of Harley Refsal, he submitted an article to Woodcarving Illustrated’s 5th Whittling edition. Since then, he has written several articles for the magazine, and in 2018, he traveled to Norway to meet with talented craftsmen and learn their techniques.

When he’s not busy with handcraft, exploring the outdoors, or spending time with his friends, James is at work developing software, where he also happily faces the same challenge he finds in his woodcarving: simplifying and abstracting ideas in unique ways.

For more of his work, visit www.facebook.com/jrm.woodcarving.

Table of Contents

Beginner's Toolkit

What Is Whittling? 7

Safety 7

Types of Wood 8

Tools 9

General Overview of the Carving Process 10

Design 11

Roughing Out 12

Basic Cuts 14

Painting Techniques 15

Finishing Techniques 17

Carving Community 18

Projects

Camping Fork & Spreader 20

Fresh-Picked Strawberry 26

Egg-in-Cage 32

Gentle Hedgehog 38

Friendly Dinosaur 44

Wizard's Apprentice Wand 50

Sleepy Owl 56

Stylized Sunflower 62

Sausage Pig 68

Curious Martian 74

Cozy Grandpa & Grandma 80

Sven the Sailor 86

Peppy Princess 92

Enchanted Prince 98

Patterns 106

About the Author 111

Index 112

Editorial Reviews

James’ lighthearted guide will teach you a ton—but you’ll have so much fun that none of it will feel like work. This is a must-have for any carving library.

Kaylee Schofield