DIY Wood Sculpture

Be careful when working with sharp objects, such as carving knives.

Making wood sculptures can be a compelling hobby. Although your first few projects will be simple, your skills will gradually improve, leading you to take on more challenging pieces. Woodworking is an art that requires a great deal of care and practice. And yet, even a beginner can create a simple wooden sculpture that introduces you to the basic tools, methods, materials and designs of woodworking. After that, all you need is practice and patience.

Things You'll Need

• Graphite paper
• Pencil
• Band saw
• Carving knife
• Wood block, butternut or basswood (block size slightly larger than the desired sculpture size)
• Sandpaper, 220-grit

Instructions

1. Create your pattern. Place the wood on a table or workbench, with the widest part facing up. Put the graphite paper on top of the wood, and draw the outline using your pencil. As a beginner, keep this sculpture simple. For example, you can draw a basic human outline with a clearly defined head, arms and legs. Draw the arms and legs outstretched, like your sculpture is doing a jumping jack, to make it easy to carve each part.

2. Cut the outline. Use your band saw to cut off most of the outer wood. Once completed, you will have a square or rectangular piece of wood with most of the outlines exposed. This will get the majority of the wood out of your way, so that you can begin to carve the smaller details. Discard the excess wood.

3. Check the direction of the grain -- the rough pattern on the wood. Run your finger along the surface. If it feels fairly rough, then you are going against the grain. If it feels smooth, you are going in the grain's direction.

4. Pick a spot along the outline to begin. Then begin carving, in the direction of the grain. Slice your carving knife through the surface of the wood, until you see the blade protruding from the bottom. This is important, because slicing part of the way through will cause the wood to tear.

5. Continue cutting, slowly and carefully along the outlines. For longer stretches -- such as along the arms and legs -- make long, steady cuts. For smaller areas, like points or crevices, use shorter cuts. The excess wood should fall off by itself as you go. Do not attempt to pull it off with your hands, as this will tear the wood. Keep rounding off the edges and removing wood from the outline, until you are satisfied with the result.

6. Smooth down the carving. Use 220-grit sandpaper to sand down any signs of cutting. Once the piece is completely smooth, wipe off any sawdust. You now have a basic wood sculpture.