Illustrated Guide to Carving Tree Bark [Paperback]

Rick Jensen (Author), Jack A Williams (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2004

Providing a complete review of cottonwood, the most commonly used form of bark, this guide addresses the unique challenges and benefits of carving tree bark and offers information on what to expect from this atypical wood source, including the best places to find it. An important section on troubleshooting teaches carvers what to do when they encounter rot or insect damage in their bark. One complete project, the Whimsical House, is outlined from start to finish. Close-up photography and instructional captions are included for added guidance. A full-color photography review offers a glimpse at the range of projects possible for this unusual material.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rick Jensen is a carving instructor and a contributor to Carving Found Wood. He has won the People's Choice Award and the Judge's Choice Award at the International Wood Carvers Congress competition. He lives in Crookstown, Minnesota.

Product Details

• Paperback: 75 pages
• Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing (July 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565232186
• ISBN-13: 978-1565232181
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,975 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A top notch carving book, November 29, 2004

By 

Wood carver/reviewer (Texas, the United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Illustrated Guide to Carving Tree Bark (Paperback)

This is one of the best "how to" carving books I've come across in quite a long time. The projects are wonderful ( those cute, crooked little houses in cottonwood bark) and the authors have gone out of their way to make the directions clear and the photographs fit the explanations--or vice versa. There are even instructions for repairing blow outs, a not uncommon problem with bark carving cross grain. Woodcarver/Reviewer

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Favorite reference book for carving cottonwood bark, April 18, 2009

By 

shyhobbit "shy" (Washington DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Illustrated Guide to Carving Tree Bark (Paperback)

I can't wait for a sequel for this book! The directions are clear, the photo illustrations are detailed and there are many examples of finished works to inspire your own creativity.

The very detailed step-by-step demonstration on carving tree bark begins with examining rough bark to determine where your roof line, chimney, steps, etc will be. Specific guidance is given on how to carve roof shingles, doors and windows, how to hollow out the back of the carving, texturing various surfaces into the bark and emphasizing the importance of avoiding drawing straight lines. Cleaning up your carving, the final sanding and finishing techniques are also covered in detail. The book also shows how to make use of natural shapes in the bark and where you can leave rough bark areas to transition from one area in the carving to another.

Another demonstration shows how to carve a bark trees from leftover wood.

Carving woodspirit faces is lightly covered as are sources for cottonwood bark. FYI, I ordered cottonwood bark from one source (Art Olver) listed in the back of the book. I got amazing 5" thick cottonwood bark from him, carved three whimsical cottages in one piece of wood and won a prize in a local art show. It was so much fun to carve, and frankly, I would not have done it without this book.

Definitely an excellent choice if you're looking for a carving book to give to a friend/family member as a gift. Not only does this book inspire a carver to have fun with cottonwood bark, it is an excellent reference book that affected how I carve basswood as well. I'm still getting ideas from it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Carving Tree Bark, March 16, 2009

By 

W. J. Cousins "Cousins Orignials" (S.F. Bay Area, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Illustrated Guide to Carving Tree Bark (Paperback)

I am a wood carver and belong to our local Tri-Valley Woodcarvers as well as CA Carvers Guild, a large number of us use this book for our Bark Carving reference. It is very well illustrated and the step-by-step process shown leaves nothing out. I highly recommend this book for both beginners and seasoned carvers.