Editors of Woodcarving Illustrated - Complete Guide to Bird Carving: 15 Beautiful Beginner-to-Advanced Projects

2022 by Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc., 903 Square Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552.

Complete Guide to Bird Carving is an original work, first published in 2022 by Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc. All projects were previously published in Woodcarving Illustrated. The patterns contained herein are copyrighted by the author. Readers may make copies of these patterns for personal use. The patterns themselves, however, are not to be duplicated for resale or distribution under any circumstances. Any such copying is a violation of copyright law.

Print ISBN 978-1-4971-0277-4
eISBN 978-1-6374-1083-7

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021946988

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For a printable PDF of the patterns used in this book, please contact Fox Chapel Publishing at , with 9781497102774 Complete Guide to Bird Carving in the subject line.

Welcome to the wonderful world of bird carving! The craft is as unique and diverse as there are birds in the sky. To show you how accessible and rewarding the craft can be, we searched the archives of Woodcarving Illustrated to offer this collection of step-by-step tutorials for bird carvers of every interest and skill level. Whether youre into stylized songbirds, wrens in the round, or realistic warblers, this book has something for you.

The projects in this book are divided into three sections based on difficulty level. The first section includes beginner-friendly projects with simplified features and minimal tools. The second section offers a slew of designs ideal for the intermediate carver, with slightly more challenging details. The third section includes projects perfect for advanced carvers who have mastered the basics and want to take their skills even further.

Each project is presented with instructions and a full materials and tools list to guide you through the crafting process. Weve also included the basics on safety, tools, and accessorieseverything youll need to start making woodchips. Corresponding patterns for each project are provided in the back of the book.

Whether youre just getting started or have been carving for years, the following pages offer resources and projects that youll want to turn to again and again.

Happy carving!

Editors of Woodcarving Illustrated magazine

Like the Projects in this Book?

Then youll loveWoodcarving Illustratedmagazine!

Woodcarving Illustrated is a quarterly magazine produced by Fox Chapel Publishing. Each issue is packed with all the latest and greatest projects, user-friendly patterns, tool reviews, tips, and features for carvers at all skill levels. Whether youre a fan of caricature, relief, chip carving, spoon carving, whittling, power carving, or flat-plane carvingor just want to expand your woodworking repertoireweve got something for your specific interests. Visit foxchapelpublishing.com/magazines to subscribe.

Then, once youve tried your hand at some of our out-of-this-world projects, join the community! Were on Instagram and TikTok @woodcarvingilllustrated, and on Facebook at Woodcarving Illustrated Magazine. Also, be sure to check out our message board at forum.woodcarvingillustrated.com or sign up for our regular newsletter at woodcarvingillustrated.com/enews.

Once youve made one (or a dozen) of the projects in these pages, write to us directly! Send an email to to share photos and information about your creations. We love hearing from you!

Each project in this book includes a full list of materials and tools you will need. Among the specific materials and tools needed for each project, common items include a saw for preparing blanks, assorted grits of sandpaper, cyanoacrylate (CA) glue, clamps, and a drill press and bits.

Acrylic paints, stains, and dyes: For adding color.

Chisels, gouges, and V-tools: To add texture after the initial roughing out is complete.

Epoxy putty: For creating lifelike eyes.

Carving knife: For roughing out and/or detailing a handcarved project. Alternately, you could use a traditional bench knife to rough out a project and add texture and detail with a rotary tool.

Paper towels: For wiping off excess glue or finish. Be sure to properly dispose of oil-soaked towels and rags, as they can spontaneously combust (See Minimize Fire Hazards ).

Paintbrushes: For applying acrylic paints, stains, dyes, and/or finishes.

Rotary tool: For shaping and adding texture.

Toothpicks: To add fine details, such as eyes and decorative dots.

Woodburner: For adding details and creating lifelike feathers before paint is applied.