Carve a World of Gnomes E-Book

Nikki Reese

• Herausgeber: Fox Chapel Publishing
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Seitenzahl: 53

Beschreibung

A new twist on one of the most popular carving subjects, Carve a World of Gnomes is an exciting project guide that incorporates international influence! Featuring 7 step-by-step wood carving projects with full-size patterns and detailed painting instructions, this booklet takes you around the world to various countries by way of adorable gnomes to carve. From a Kentish gnome who redirects lost belugas back out to sea to a Peruvian gnome who herds a semi-wild alpaca flock in the Andes, each design represents different parts of the world and includes charming character backstories specific to the land. Ranging from beginner to intermediate, author Nikki Reese's approachable carving style and use of color will have any carver creating a global gnome collection! Also included is an additional bonus project of an adorable miniature gnome home!

Leseprobe

Dedication

For my wife, Vic. Thank you for your patience, and for bringing magic back into my life. Without you I would not be the person I am now, and this booklet would certainly not have been finished!

© 2021 by Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc.,

903 Square Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552.

Carve a World of Gnomes is an original work, first published in 2021 by Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc. The patterns contained herein are copyrighted by the authors. 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 978-1-4971-0177-7

ISBN 9781637413838

To learn more about the other great books from

Fox Chapel Publishing, or to find a retailer near you,

call toll-free 800-457-9112 or visit us at foxchapelpublishing.com.

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For a printable PDF of the patterns used in this book, please contact Fox Chapel Publishing at [email protected], with 9781497101777 Carve a World of Gnomes in the subject line.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Materials, Tools, & Safety

Tips & Tricks

Texan Gnome

Siberian Gnome

Peruvian Gnome

Kentish Gnome

West African Gnome

Fiji Gnome

Lapland Gnome

Gnome Home

After several years of procrastination, Nikki started carving in 2019 and hasn’t looked back since. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her wife and dog.

Introduction

I’ve been interested in the make-believe world of gnomes since childhood. In fact, my interest in carving was sparked by my desire to create and carve gnomes to share with other people.

In this booklet, my goal is to expand the mythos of the gnome past the classic settings you might expect. After all, gnomes don’t just live in fancy walled gardens—they build their dwellings in boreal forests, up in the Andes, along the African plains, and even on a few islands throughout the Pacific. I will demonstrate basic techniques that you can use to reproduce the gnomes you see in this booklet, and set you on the course to put your own spin on the classic gnome, expanding the mythos even further. Maybe you have gnomes in your part of the world, too!

Materials & Tools

I’m of the mind that the best tools for the job are the tools you have right now.

I’ve tried to keep the tools needed for these designs to a minimum. Each project can be completed with a knife, a few gouges, a band saw or hand saw, and (in some cases) a drill or Dremel®.

Make sure to keep the edge on each carving tool sharp through periodic honing; I use a leather strop and stropping compound for this purpose, honing my blade every 30 minutes or so. Maintaining your tools will ultimately save you money and give you a sense of self-reliance. It will also decrease your likelihood of injury, as you will not have to apply as much force while carving.

Edged Tools

Saw: I use a Japanese hand saw with a miter board to cut my blanks to the right size. I’ve also used the saw that comes with the miter board I purchased for under $15 at my local hardware store. If desired, you could use a band saw instead.

Roughout knife: You will use this sturdy knife to rough out the shape of your gnome. A good roughout knife will help you remove large amounts of wood with minimal effort. In this booklet, I use OCC, Helvie, and Lloyd roughout knives depending on what I’m working on. You only need one.

Detail knife: It’s good to have at least one detail knife in your arsenal. It comes in handy for finer details, especially on the face. In this book, I use a Helvie detail knife in a homemade handle, and a Drake mini detail knife.

Gouges: Gouges and V-tools help with small textures and hard-toreach areas. You can accomplish these tasks with a knife and a little patience; however, it’s useful to keep a few gouges and V-tools on hand. In this book, I use OCC gouges in three sizes. I also use a small ¼" (6mm) micro V-tool by Dockyard Tools.

Other Useful Items

Pencil: You’ll need one of these to draw on your pattern or make marks and measurements. I like pencils because you can erase mistakes.

Ruler: You’ll want to be able to measure while learning how to carve these patterns.

Paint: I use FolkArt® acrylic paints mixed with water to paint my figures. You can use any water-based paint you can get a hold of. Practice on scrap wood beforehand to get an idea of how it will behave on your carving.

Paint palette: Paint palettes are perfect for mixing colors and water. They’re cheap, and you can typically find them in your local craft supply store.

Paintbrushes: Where there is paint, there are brushes. I use an assortment of sizes; you’ll want at least one for painting larger areas and one for painting details.

Wood: For figure carving, I prefer basswood, as it’s soft with a consistent grain and takes color well.

Boiled linseed oil: Before painting, I use a boiled linseed oil without added hardeners to protect the wood and to help the paint soak in evenly. Everyone has a preference, and you can experiment with different types of oils to see what works best for you.

Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue: Use CA to add accessories quickly, with little wait or mess.

Sealing wax: This is not essential, but I seal all of my finished carvings with FolkArt® craft wax. It protects the paint and gives each piece a nice, finished look and feel.

Safety

When carving, wear a cut-resistant glove on your non-dominant hand to avoid injury. I also wrap my dominant thumb in 3M™ Coban™ medical tape. Carve with care and use all of the safety equipment at your disposal to avoid serious injury.

Note: In the step photos, I demonstrate cuts without safety equipment in order to clearly show the position of my fingers. Always wear protective gear while carving.

Tips & Tricks

• A well-honed knife cuts better and needs to be sharpened less frequently than the alternative. Strop your knife when you’re done using it to help maintain your cutting edge.

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