Learn to Carve Gnomes, Trolls, and Mythical Creatures

by Sara Barraclough

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Learn to Carve Gnomes, Trolls, and Mythical Creatures is a whimsically wonderful tutorial guide by Sara Barraclough for woodcarving. Due out 1st Dec 2020 from Fox Chapel, it's 104 pages and will be available in paperback format.

This is such an appealing book. The characters are all fantasy and nature inspired, with a gnome, troll, dragon, wizard, and more, and several woodland creatures such as a toad, owl, squirrel, and others.

The layout is logical and easy to understand. The introduction covers tools, materials, and supplies, a very abbreviated safety section (carving gloves, leather strop, safety goggles, and dust masks are absolutely necessary and the author gives some suggestions). It includes some primer tutorials covering tools and how to use them as well as painting and finishing. The following chapters contain the project tutorials arranged by difficulty: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Each tutorial contains an introduction, tools and supplies listed bullet style, and step by step instructions. All of the tutorials include clear color photos of the steps as well as a color photo of the finished painted project.

Full size templates (measurements are in American standard measures - no metric conversions) are included for each of the projects (they're gathered into the same section in the back of the book). It's worth noting that this book does not employ any power tools. All the carving is done manually.

Really appealing projects. This would make a superlative selection for a makers' group, home workshop library, gift (with carving tools and some wood?), or similar. This would also appeal to handcrafters looking to learn new skills in the weird lockdown limbo we all find ourselves in these days.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes