Video Category: Carving Tutorial

In this instructional video from Del Herbert's bird carving series, learn how to create and prepare patterns for a bird carving. Part one covers tracing a pattern, making adjustments for a specific carving, transferring the design to poster board, and cutting out the individual pattern pieces. You'll also learn how profile and plan views are ... Watch Video

In this chapter from Del Herbert's bird carving series, learn how to carve a shorebird's head from a solid piece of wood while taking grain direction and wood strength into account. The demonstration explains how to position the pattern to maximize the strength of a long, delicate bill, cut the profile on a bandsaw, refine ... Watch Video

In this chapter from Del Herbert's bird carving series, learn an alternative method for creating a strong, durable bill using a straight-grain hardwood dowel. Del demonstrates how to position the pattern on an oversized block of wood, drill and fit a dowel using a Forstner bit, and secure it with wood glue before transferring the ... Watch Video

In this chapter from Del Herbert's bird carving series, learn how to lay out and cut the body of a shorebird carving from a solid block of wood. The demonstration explains how to position the pattern so the bird's weakest areas, including the primary and tail feathers, follow the grain of the wood for maximum ... Watch Video

In this chapter from Del Herbert's bird carving series, learn how to join a separately carved shorebird head and body using dowels while carefully controlling the bird's posture and personality. Del demonstrates how to accurately drill and align the head and body for a precise joint, adjust the angle of the head and body to ... Watch Video

In this chapter from Del Herbert's bird carving series, learn how to shape the top view of a shorebird's head using a combination of hand tools and rotary carving equipment. Del demonstrates how to transfer the top-view pattern, remove excess wood with carving bits and sanding drums, and refine the shape with a knife. Using ... Watch Video

In this chapter from Del Herbert's bird carving series, learn how to rough-shape the body of a shorebird carving while accounting for the challenges of working with a three-dimensional pattern. Del explains why the top-view pattern cannot be cut directly on the bandsaw without sacrificing important breast and chest areas. He demonstrates how to use ... Watch Video

In this chapter from Del Herbert's bird carving series, explore how pose and attitude help bring a carved bird to life and communicate its story. Del explains how subtle changes to the angle of the head and body can create an inquisitive, alert, relaxed, or confident expression, and encourages carvers to step back frequently to ... Watch Video

In this chapter from Del Herbert's bird carving series, learn how to accurately position and carve the eyes and bill of a shorebird. Del demonstrates his method of establishing eye placement and alignment before carving the surrounding head, using patterns, dividers, reference points, and careful visual checks from multiple angles. The lesson covers carving the ... Watch Video

In this chapter from Del Herbert's bird carving series, learn how to install and sculpt realistic eyes in a detailed shorebird carving. Del demonstrates how to prepare the eye sockets, select and position premium bird eyes, and use two-part epoxy to set and adjust the eyes for precise alignment and natural orientation. The lesson also ... Watch Video

In this chapter from Del Herbert's bird carving series, learn how to complete the final shaping and preparation of a carved shorebird before painting. Del demonstrates attaching the head to the body, refining the neck and body contours, sanding the carving, and penciling in major feather groups to evaluate feather placement, size, and overall design ... Watch Video