Woodcarving Illustrated Magazine Winter 2021 Issue 97

Top-Rated Carving Gloves That Really Work

So Many WINTER 2021 ■ ISSUE 97
Santas!
DISPLAY UNTIL JANUARY 31, 2022
Easy Birdhouse
Ornaments
Carve St. Nick’s
Fun Friends

• Holly Jolly
Snowman

• Wired-Up
Reindeer

• Elf Boss

PLUS

Dazzling
Angel Relief

WINTER 2021 n ISSUE 97

37

32 in this issue

FEATURES

14 Product Review: Hand in Glove
Want to carve safely without
compromising dexterity?
Schaaf’s new cut-resistant gloves
are just the ticket
By Staff of Woodcarving Illustrated

81 Birds of a Feather
Carvers provide comfort to communities
one small wooden bird at a time
By Lauren Novosat

PATTERNS

29 Chip Carved Sleigh
The holidays can make for
tricky terrain! Let this nostalgic
vehicle carry you through
By Marty Leenhouts

74 Chicken Santa
Kris Kringle’s winged friends may just
change your carving experience forever
By Lee Simpkins

78 Chip Carved Birdhouses
These old-world-style ornaments are
a breeze to carve and assemble
By Jan Jenson

Search for Woodcarving Illustrated
on Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram

2 Woodcarving Illustrated | WINTER 2021

PROJECTS TECHNIQUES

23 Workshop Santa 61 Angel Relief
Hang out with St. Nick as Let this lyrical carving bring joy to
he adds the nishing touches you and yours this holiday season
before the big day By Shawn Cipa
By Chris Hammack

32 A Power Carved Reindeer 29
Paint splatters and craft wire take
this familiar animal to new heights
By Edgar Shrum

37 Simple Snowman Ornament 68 DEPTS.
Give Frosty a run for his money with
this charming holiday classic 4 Editor’s Note
By Bob Kozakiewicz 6 Letters to the Editor
8 Coming Features
40 Rustic Co ee Scoop 10 Artists to Watch
Make your morning cup of joe even 14 Santa Convention
better with this elegant design
By Josh Rittenhouse Challenge Winner
16 Stay Connected
45 Wheely Turtle 18 Tips & Techniques
This sweet twist on a kids’ 60 My First Carve
staple might just “disappear” 92 Ad Directory
from the gift pile before 93 Calendar of Events
Christmas morning 96 Woodchips
By Sara Barraclough
COVVEERR
49 Toy Soldier
Let this colorful carve stand Top-Rated Carving Gloves
watch over your presents ... 14
on Christmas Eve night So Many Santas ... 23, 74, 86
By Matt Kincade St. Nick’s Friends ...32, 37,
49, 55, 68
55 Santa’s Helper Easy Birdhouses
This persnickety elf keeps the Ornaments ... 78
North Pole shipshape Wired-Up Reindeer ... 32
By Nikki Reese Holly Jolly Snowman ... 37
Elf Boss ... 55
68 Carving Santa’s Cousin Petunia Angel Relief ... 61
Don your party shoes and let this
sassy character remind you that Find these free extras at
it’s ve o’clock somewhere
By Chris Hammack WOODCARVINGILLUSTRATED.COM

86 Personalized Ribbon Ornament Free Project Want more Santas? Visit our website to get a
Paint or woodburn the letters to
make this fun bauble extra-special clever Santa ornament pattern from Bob Hershey!
By Dwayne Gosnell
Free Patterns Find more seasonal projects and patterns to

carve in the How To section of our website!

Bonus Carve Get the pattern for another one of St. Nick’s

friends—an inquisitive brown bear by James Miller.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 3

Workshop Santa

Hang out with
St. Nick as he adds
the finishing touches
before the big day

By Chris Hammack

T his carving is how I imagine Santa Getting Started
in his workshop, sleeves rolled up Photocopy the pattern views and
and painting a newly made toy train. (This sketch the outlines on the front
is obviously Santa from many years ago, and side of the wood block. Cut
because the only toys Santa makes these the views on a band saw. Note:
days have to be WiFi capable, voice activated, Always wear a thumb guard.
remotely controllable, and rechargeable.) The photos were taken without
The bright colors and tilted head add a bit of one to clearly show hand and
interest, and the hand holding the brush is a knife positions.
challenge. The longer you can wait to tackle
the fragile details in this project, the better.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 23

ROUGHING OUT

1 2
Rough out the face. Mark a rough profile on the left side of the face. Then, using a 3/4" Shape the front of the body. Use
(19mm) #9 gouge, generously remove wood up to the line, all the way across the face. the 3/4" (19mm) #9 gouge and a knife to
remove the wood above and below the
right arm. Remove wood in front of the
right elbow and in front of the train. Then
remove the wood under his left arm,
referring to the pattern. Continue to work a
knife and the gouge, removing wood from
the front, sides, and back.

3 4
Block in the head and train. Rough in the arms, hands, and shirt sleeves. With the knife, shape the lower arm
Santa’s head is facing forward but (the one holding the train) and the cuff on the sleeve. Then round the arm to the wrist. Move
tilts a bit to the right. This adds visual to the raised left arm (the one holding the paintbrush), and then round it up to the elbow
interest, but requires a bit of work to set with the same tool. Rough in the sleeve cuff on this side, as well.
up. Begin roughing in the face by drawing
a centerline on an angle consistent with the
tilt of the head. Create the wedge shape for
the face, tapering the face from the ears to
the centerline with the knife. Remember to
keep Santa’s head fairly round. Then draw
a centerline down the back of the head and
round the corners into that line.

24 Woodcarving Illustrated | WINTER 2021

Chip
Carved
Sleigh

The holidays can make
for tricky terrain! Let this nostalgic
vehicle carry you through

By Marty Leenhouts

A dd a new table decoration this year by chip Use a table saw. Then photocopy the patterns for the
carving your very own magical sleigh! When sleigh body and side pieces, cover the wood with blue
they see the wintry chip carved designs on its sides, painter's tape, and apply the patterns to the tape with
your family and friends won’t be able to resist the spray adhesive. Note: Make sure to orient the three body
holiday spirit. I kept my version natural in color, but patterns correctly in the relation to the angled cuts just
you could darken the surface with a gel stain and carve made. Cut the perimeters of the sides, and all non-
through it for added contrast and an antiqued look, if connecting edges of the body pieces (i.e. the highest
desired. Either way, it makes a perfect centerpiece for point on the footrest, the curved top of the back, the
all your merry gatherings. flat edges that will connect to the sleigh sides), on a
Getting Started scroll saw. Remove the patterns and sand each piece
Cut the pieces. First, make the two angled cuts to to 220-grit. Note: A smooth surface makes for easier
separate the three pieces of the sleigh body, cutting the pattern application and better carving because your
back piece from the back of the seat at a 30° angle and knife will have a level surface to begin each cut. Apply
the footrest from the front of the seat at a 40° angle. the carving patterns with a Pattern Transfer Tool or
trace them using graphite paper and a pencil.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 29

Chip Carved Sleigh
Patterns

Cut bottom
of panel at
30° angle

Cut bottom
of panel at
40° angle

© 2021 Woodcarving Illustrated
Each block of this grid
equals 1" in proportion
to the original pattern.
Enlarge this art to 133%,
or to desired size.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 31

Movable wire arms
and antlers add an
interactive element to
your carving.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 33

PAINTING & FINISHING

7 8 9
Apply a basecoat. Paint the entire Paint the body. I used a thinned Paint the belly and brows. This
reindeer with dark brown. Leave the mixture of burnt umber and titanium is a lighter mixture of burnt umber and
bottom unpainted to allow moisture to white, gradually building the color in titanium white. Make sure to feather this
escape evenly. light layers. Drybrush the last layer new color into the existing basecoat for a
for effect. fluffy look.

10 11 12
Paint the scarf. I used a thinned Add shadow. Apply thinned burnt Paint the nose with ivory
mixture of ivory black and cadmium umber to the inside of the ears and the black. Paint a thin reflective streak
red, gradually building the color in outlines of the belly, face, and scarf. across the top of the nose with titanium
light layers. Drybrush the last layer on white. Paint the eyes and mouth with
for effect. Paint the scarf stripes with burnt umber. For a rustic effect, use a
cadmium yellow and cadmium red. Paint toothbrush and splatter burnt umber
the snowflakes and scarf details with and titanium white (separately) onto the
titanium white. reindeer. Let dry.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 35

Simple Snowman
Ornament

Give Frosty a run for his money
with this charming holiday classic

By Bob Kozakiewicz

I love Christmas ornaments and enjoy designing
and carving them year-round. Because they
are usually round and jolly, snowmen are always
fun subjects to carve. This easy-to-carve snowman
ornament can be accomplished in one sitting with just
two or three tools. Soon you will have a charming decoration
to hang on the tree or to give away to family and friends. It’s so
easy to carve, you can give one to everyone on your list!
Getting Started
Transfer the pattern onto the blank using graphite paper and a pencil. Cut
out the shape with a band saw. Before you begin carving, make sure your
tools are sharp. Keep them sharp with periodic stropping. Note: Always
wear a carving glove and thumb guard. The photos were taken without
them to clearly show hand and knife positions.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 37

Showcase interesting colors or grain patterns
by positioning the spoon shape strategically
along your chosen piece of wood.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 41

Wheely Turtle

This sweet twist on a
kids’ staple might just
“disappear” from the

gift pile before
Christmas morning

By Sara Barraclough

T his little wheely reptile is a fun and Getting Started
relatively quick project with lots Transfer the patterns to the blank and cut
of room for you to add your own twist. it out on a band saw. Drill the holes for the
The only tricky bit is drilling the holes wheels. Each hole should be 1/4" (6mm) from
for the wheels, which should be drilled the bottom of the blank. Practice drilling on
an equal distance from the bottom of the a scrap piece of wood prior to drilling into
blank so that the wheels rest evenly on your project piece. Once you have the holes
the surface. You’ll know you’re on target drilled, draw a centerline from the front all
if your drilled holes meet when you drill the way to the back. This will help keep your
into the second side. sides even and symmetrical.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 45

Toy Soldier

Let this colorful carve stand watch over
all your presents on Christmas Eve night

By Matt Kincade

T oy soldiers make me think of a simpler time, where
staying warm, sharing a meal, and spending time with
loved ones was what mattered most. So why not whip up
some of that simplicity this holiday season? Take a break
from the busy and complicated world, carve a jolly soldier,
and give it to someone you love.

Getting Started
Cut the soldier blank roughly to size on a band saw; you'll
cut the true outline in Step 1. Make sure to follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for setup and safety. Then,
with the grain running vertically, transfer the front pattern
view to the blank using graphite paper and a pencil. Use
the same method to transfer the rifle pattern, making sure
that the grain runs vertically for both the soldier and the
rifle. To hold the patterns still while sketching, you can use
thumbtacks in the waste areas.
Strop knives and tools thoroughly, and re-strop often.
Sharp tools are less likely to slip and cause injury; you’ll
also have more control over the look of the finished project.
Note: Always wear a carving glove and thumb guard. The
photos were taken without them to clearly show hand and
knife positions.

ROUGHING OUT 1
Cut the outlines.
Use the band saw to cut
away the largest waste
areas, leaving at least 1/16"
(2mm) of material past the
pattern lines. Draw a vertical
centerline down the front
and back of the soldier blank
to help with symmetry. You
will need to redraw these
lines several times while
carving. Then cut the rifle
shape on a scroll saw.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 49

Santa’s
Helper

This persnickety elf keeps the
North Pole shipshape

By Nikki Reese

C al Rumpleshoot is the head of the SHWU, the
Santa’s Helpers Workers Union. Fair pay for fair
labor in the elven world. Anyway, it’s the end of the
building season, and contrary to popular belief, things
are pretty chill at the North Pole. The reindeer are
fed, the workshop is tidy, and all orders are sorted and
loaded, ready for distribution. All that remains is to
shovel the snow around Headquarters—­ and boy, is
there a lot of it.
This is a fun and festive holiday carve that you can
achieve in a few sittings with a couple hand tools.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 55

Angel Note: Always wear a carving glove and thumb
Relief guard. The photos were taken without them to
clearly show hand and knife positions.
Let this lyrical carving bring joy to
you and yours this holiday season

By Shawn Cipa

G loria in excelsis Deo! Glory to God in
the highest! This angel helps capture
the true meaning of Christmas and provides
a great lesson in relief carving.
Relief carving is an ancient technique in
which the subject is modeled to create the
illusion of being three-dimensional. Some
reliefs are very shallow; however, this project
is a medium-to-deep relief, with an added
pierced element, meaning that there is a
cutout void. Rather than having a traditional
square or rectangular panel, this subject is
cut to shape for a more dramatic effect.

Getting Started
Choose a 1" (2.5cm)-thick panel of basswood,
free of blemishes, measuring 8" by 16"
(20.3cm by 40.6cm). Transfer the pattern
with your method of choice, making sure
that the grain runs vertically. Cut out the
shape with a band saw. Drill a blade-entry
hole and use a scroll saw or coping saw to
make the interior cutout between the left
wing and the sphere.
Referring to the pattern, mark the main
parts of the piece: the body and banner,
sphere, and wings. These parts are defined
by surface depth. Use graphite paper and
a pencil to draw in other features as the
steps progress. Read through all the steps
carefully before starting and take your time
once you begin. You’ll need to secure the
piece with clamps during the roughing-out
phase; once you get to the details, you may
hold it by hand. Strive to smooth all final
surfaces as much as possible by leveling the
peaks and valleys as you carve; this requires
razor-sharp tools, so be sure to strop often.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 61

CARVING SANTA’S Getting Started
Photocopy the
Cousin Petunia pattern views
and sketch the
Don your party shoes and let this sassy character outlines on the
remind you that it’s five o’clock somewhere front and side of
the wood block.
By Chris Hammack Cut the views on
a band saw.
I imagine Santa’s cousin Petunia as a stuffy, proper
lady who tries (unsuccessfully) to maintain regal
airs even after having a little too much wine. She’s
great practice for carving an older woman’s face, and
the hand holding that glass of wine makes for an extra
challenge. See what kind of crazy makeup and wild-
colored clothes you can imagine for her. Don’t worry
too much if she doesn’t come out perfect—the most
important thing is to enjoy your time carving and
keep makin’ chips.

ROUGHING OUT 1
Rough out the head and hair. With
a 1" (25mm) #3 fishtail gouge, bring the
hair on the right side of the face back to the
area where the hair on the top starts. Draw
the profile of her face on the right side of
the blank, and then remove the excess right
up to the area where the wine glass will
be. Use a 3/4" (19mm) #9 gouge. Then begin
to round the shapes for her hair. She has
two round buns on top of her head and a
cone-shaped pigtail on each side. Draw the
shapes on the top and sides, and then carve
up to the lines.

2
Rough out the face and neck.
Draw a centerline down the face, and use
the 3/4" (19mm) #9 gouge to remove wood
on both sides of the face, creating a wedge
shape that tapers in toward the nose. To
do this, you will also have to remove the
wood between her wine glass hand and
her face. Use a knife or small gouge of your
choice. Next, with the knife, begin to define
the area on both sides of the neck for the
blouse collar. Make the neck area relatively
thin when viewed from all angles; after all,
Petunia is a delicate flower.

68 Woodcarving Illustrated | WINTER 2021

Kris Kringle’s colorful
cousin believes
in having a little
Christmas cheer all
year long.

3
Rough out the arms and shawl.
With the knife, begin to round the arms,
giving them a billowing effect toward the
wrists. Draw a line in back for the shawl,
and then block it in with the same tool.
Remove wood under each arm, round the
shoulders, and thin the neck area of her
blouse. Refine the blouse sleeves and add
the cuffs. Then establish the opening of
the high collar, and refine the shawl with a
gouge of your choice.

4
Rough out the hand holding the wine glass. For an
added challenge, I gave my version of Petunia an extended pinky
finger. Start from the wrist and work upward, using the knife to
round the bottom of the glass. Shape the little finger and the back
of her hand, and then define the folded fingers clutching the stem
of the glass, making sure to keep the stem straight. Define the
extended index finger and thumb and, finally, the top of the glass.
The wine glass may be a bit too tall, so shorten as you like. Since
this area is a challenge, slow down and remove wood in small chips.

woodcarvingillustrated.com 69

woodcarvingillustrated.com 79

Chicken Santa

Kris Kringle's winged friends may just
change your carving experience forever

By Lee Simpkins

I have a thing for nontraditional
Santas. Over the years, I’ve
carved many renditions of Old
St. Nick holding songbirds, baskets
of fruit, freshly caught fish, and
even barbells. My Chicken Santa
is based on a primitive design I
discovered a few years ago, and he
has been a favorite ever since. This
project was carved out of wood
scraps from previous projects. I
invite you to also use what you
have lying around—a little extra
inventiveness will take you far!
74 Woodcarving Illustrated | WINTER 2021

WOOD CRAFT, HOBBYIST SUPPLIES, TOOLS
CLOCK PARTS, HARDWARE, EPOXY RESIN

PEGAS Professional quality at a
beginner’s price. These
BAND SAWS carving tools are made

BLADES & BELTS to last through many
years of hard work. Select
Upgrade to the most precise
band saw. A cast iron frame between factory and
& table uses blades as small professionally sharpened

as 1mm or as large as 1/8”. sets of Schaaf Tools.
Cut 90 degree corners in bearwood.com/schaaf
wood as thick as 6”.
bearwood.com/bandsaw

Dwayne Gosnell
Author & Member of
Caricature Carvers of America
“The Pegas Scroll Band Saw
gets closer to my pattern lines
than any other saw does”

MARATHON KUTZALL
HIGH-SPEED ROTARY TOOL ROTARY BITS & BURRS

The sleek, versatile, compact design of these Kutzall Rotary Burrs perform with remarkable
micromotors make them easy to use and economical. wear-life and provide a unique combination of
Finish your next carving piece the right way. superioror material removal and surface quality
Remove fuzzies and add intricate details easily. making them the best value in their price range.
bearwood.com/rotary
bearwood.com/kutzall
COMBINE & SAVE
KIT + TOOL

Learn More: Call 1-800-565-5066 or visit www.bearwood.com