Customer Reviews

Illustrated Guide to Carving Tree Bark

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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

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!

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.

My husband is a woodcarver, who is especially interested in carving tree bark. This book was recommended to him by fellow carvers, and he is enjoying it very much. There are tips and suggestions which make his beautiful carvings even more beautiful and easier for him to achieve. Thanks!

Rick Jensen is the master of carving cottonwood bark as you will see when you buy this book. Another great Fox Chapel publication.