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Wood Carving for Beginners

Sharon Elliott

4.7

Based on 469 ratings

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Sharon Elliott

Come discover the world of wood carving. This course is intended for anyone who's ever asked the question how do you carve that? How do you get started? I take my students step by step through topics like what knifes to use and what tools are needed. They will Master the four basic wood carving cuts. Then I teach my students how to create my famous Little People carvings. In this video I carve my 2020th Little Person and I just love carving them and you will too. Also we will make a very handy guide on how to carve faces, people love having this guide around. You never know what you do until you try it.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Gathering the correct carving tools
Step by step carving my famous little people

Master the 4 basic wood carving cuts
Learn to paint and properly antique your carvings

Gathering the correct carving tools
Step by step carving my famous little people
Master the 4 basic wood carving cuts
Learn to paint and properly antique your carvings

Syllabus

Meet Phoenix based artist Sharon Elliott

Meet Sharon Elliott

In this section we will learn the tools and basic cuts for wood carving

Choosing the right Knife and other tools

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops core wood carving skills, including the four basic cuts, face carving, and painting and antiquing

Taught by Sharon Elliott, a Phoenix-based artist with over 20 years of carving experience

Suitable for individuals with no prior carving experience

Course materials include step-by-step video demonstrations and printable guides

Provides hands-on practice and detailed instructions for creating various carvings

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Reviews summary

Fundamentals of wood carving for beginners

According to students, this course offers a strong foundation in basic wood carving techniques, making it ideal for complete beginners. Learners particularly praise the clear, step-by-step instructions provided by the instructor, Sharon Elliott. Key features covered include selecting the right tools and knives, mastering the four fundamental carving cuts, and working on practical, engaging projects like the 'Little People' carvings and a face carving guide. While many find the pace comfortable, some mention that the course is very specific to beginner-level projects and doesn't delve into more complex carving. Overall, it's seen as a great starting point to discover the hobby.

May not satisfy intermediate or advanced learners.

"This course is definitely just for absolute beginners, don't expect advanced techniques."

"If you have some carving experience, this might be too basic."

"It provides a great intro but doesn't go deep into complex carvings."

Helpful advice on necessary equipment.

"The section on choosing knives and tools was essential before starting."

"I appreciated the guidance on what wood works best for beginners."

"Knowing what tools I needed upfront saved me a lot of guesswork."

Mastering fundamental carving techniques.

"Learning the four basic cuts was foundational and very well taught."

"The exercises on basic cuts really helped build my confidence."

"The explanations of the cuts were thorough and easy to replicate."

Fun and achievable carving projects included.

"Making the little person was so much fun and a great first project!"

"The face carving guide is incredibly useful and something I'll refer back to often."

"I enjoyed the hands-on nature of creating actual carvings."

Instructions are easy to follow for beginners.

"Sharon provides very clear, step-by-step instructions that make learning easy."

"I felt comfortable following along even with zero experience."

"The way she breaks down the process is fantastic for a novice."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Wood Carving for Beginners with these activities:

Master the 4 Basic Wood Carving Cuts

Show steps

Develop proficiency in the four basic wood carving cuts: the knife cut, the V-cut, the gouge cut, and the skew cut.

Show steps

Identify and practice the four basic cuts on a piece of scrap wood.
Focus on proper hand positioning, tool grip, and cutting angles.
Repeat each cut multiple times until you feel comfortable and precise.

Show all one activities

Career center

Learners who complete Wood Carving for Beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Wood Carver

A Wood Carver creates sculptures, furniture, or other objects from wood. As a Wood Carver, you would need to have a strong understanding of the different types of wood and how to work with them. This course can provide you with the foundation you need to get started in this field. You will learn knife use, safety procedures, and techniques such as roughing out, carving in relief, and carving in the round. You will also learn to paint and antique your carvings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wood Carver

Carpenter

A Carpenter constructs, maintains, and repairs structures made of wood. Carpenters typically need to have a high school diploma or equivalent, and many also complete an apprenticeship program. This course can provide you with the skills you need to get started in this field. You will learn about the different types of wood, how to use hand and power tools, and how to read blueprints.

See salaries and explore the career path for Carpenter

Cabinetmaker

A Cabinetmaker designs, builds, and installs cabinets and other fixtures made of wood. Cabinetmakers typically need to have a high school diploma or equivalent, and many also complete an apprenticeship program. This course can provide you with the skills you need to get started in this field. You will learn about the different types of wood, how to use hand and power tools, and how to design and build cabinets.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cabinetmaker

Furniture Designer

A Furniture Designer designs and creates furniture. Furniture Designers typically need to have a bachelor's degree in interior design or a related field. This course can provide you with the skills you need to get started in this field. You will learn about the different types of wood, how to use hand and power tools, and how to design and build furniture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Furniture Designer

Sculptor

A Sculptor creates three-dimensional works of art from a variety of materials, including wood. Sculptors typically need to have a bachelor's degree in fine arts or a related field. This course can provide you with the skills you need to get started in this field. You will learn about the different types of wood, how to use hand and power tools, and how to create sculptures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sculptor

Art teacher

An Art Teacher teaches art to students of all ages. Art Teachers typically need to have a bachelor's degree in art education or a related field. This course can provide you with the skills you need to get started in this field. You will learn about the different types of wood, how to use hand and power tools, and how to teach art to students.

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Museum curator

A Museum Curator is responsible for the care and display of museum collections. Museum Curators typically need to have a master's degree in museum studies or a related field. This course can provide you with the skills you need to get started in this field. You will learn about the different types of wood, how to care for wood objects, and how to display them in a museum setting.

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Restoration Specialist

A Restoration Specialist restores and preserves old and damaged buildings and objects. Restoration Specialists typically need to have a bachelor's degree in historic preservation or a related field. This course can provide you with the skills you need to get started in this field. You will learn about the different types of wood, how to repair and restore wood objects, and how to preserve them for future generations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Restoration Specialist

Woodworker

A Woodworker creates objects from wood, such as furniture, toys, and tools. Woodworkers typically need to have a high school diploma or equivalent, and many also complete an apprenticeship program. This course can provide you with the skills you need to get started in this field. You will learn about the different types of wood, how to use hand and power tools, and how to create objects from wood.

See salaries and explore the career path for Woodworker

Landscape Architect

A Landscape Architect designs and creates outdoor spaces, such as parks, gardens, and playgrounds. Landscape Architects typically need to have a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture or a related field. This course can provide you with the skills you need to get started in this field. You will learn about the different types of wood, how to use hand and power tools, and how to design and create outdoor spaces.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Architect

Industrial Designer

An Industrial Designer designs and creates products, such as furniture, appliances, and toys. Industrial Designers typically need to have a bachelor's degree in industrial design or a related field. This course can provide you with the skills you need to get started in this field. You will learn about the different types of wood, how to use hand and power tools, and how to design and create products.

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Architect

An Architect designs and creates buildings. Architects typically need to have a bachelor's degree in architecture or a related field. This course may provide you with some of the skills you need to get started in this field. You will learn about the different types of wood, how to use hand and power tools, and how to design and create buildings.

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Engineer

An Engineer designs and creates machines, structures, and systems. Engineers typically need to have a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. This course may provide you with some of the skills you need to get started in this field. You will learn about the different types of wood, how to use hand and power tools, and how to design and create machines, structures, and systems.

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Teacher

A Teacher teaches students of all ages. Teachers typically need to have a bachelor's degree in education or a related field. This course may provide you with some of the skills you need to get started in this field. You will learn about the different types of wood, how to use hand and power tools, and how to teach students.

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Artist

An Artist creates visual art, such as paintings, sculptures, and drawings. Artists typically need to have a bachelor's degree in art or a related field. This course may provide you with some of the skills you need to get started in this field. You will learn about the different types of wood, how to use hand and power tools, and how to create visual art.

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Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Wood Carving for Beginners .

NA INDIANS

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the art of woodcarving, covering everything from the basics to more advanced techniques. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about this craft.

The Smithsonian Book of North American Indians:...

Hardcover