Excellent resource for the advanced carver.
To my fellow woodcarvers and woodwrights: Greetings!
This is my 1st book review, so please be understanding.
Lora S. Irish has assembled a very useful resource for the cabinetmaker, furniture maker, woodwright and/or woodcarver. As an accomplished carver, I have found that the hardest part of woodcarving has been composition (for me anyway- others will have their own gremlins to deal with). Ms. Irish has thoughfully put together a wide range of example patterns to either copy line for line, or to use as inspiration for your own pattern.
The book progresses in a thoroughly understandable format: simple line designs give way to triangular compositions which progress to square and rectangular compositions and so on... Each format has their inning. There are even sections on building a light box, proportionality when laying out your design on furniture and cabinetry, mirror images, etc.
What this book will NOT do is teach you how to carve. You are expected to already know how to do that, and the content reflects it. If you're looking for a book of ideas, this is it. If you're looking for books on how to carve, I would suggest The Woodcarver's Handbook by Graham R. Bull (B+), Carving Facial Expressions by Ian Norbury (A), or anything by Jeff Phares (generally A to B+), Kurt Koch (A+), and David Bennet/Roger Schroeder (A+).
As a ready resource of useable patterns and/or ideas to enhance your cabinetwork or furniture, this book is hard to beat.
Overall I give it 5 stars (A+).
William C. Steinmann
crisp and clear
I just needed patterns to practice sculpturing on rock. I received more than I expected. Lot's of information on patterns,how to arrange them etc. Learned a lot. A lot of book for the money.
Great book of carving patterns
This book is just what the title says - "Classic Carving Patterns". It is not a "How to Carve" book. If you don't already know how to carve, don't buy this book.
Once you know the basics, most people want more challenging projects but don't have the experience to draw their own designs. This book picks up right at the spot. It contains patterns of intermediate complexity which will challenge journeymen carvers to improve their skills.
There aren't many books like this available - books with lots of patterns that are intended to be carved. If you're a developing or experienced carver looking for new challenges, or even ideas to incorporate in your own designs, this is the book for you.
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