Carving in the Round

by Andrew Thomas

The author, a professional sculptor, offers both instruction and inspiration for carving three-dimensional wooden sculpture. He begins with an overview of essential tools and how to use and sharpen them, followed by advice on wood selection, carving and sanding techniques, design, scale drawings and other fundamentals. The latter half of the book presents seven projects in a range of styles, from an abstract wave form and stylized female torso to more lifelike carvings of a whale and a penguin.

The projects are arranged in order of complexity to help you build technical skills. Each includes a pattern, detailed instructions and color photographs demonstrating all the key steps.

Softcover, 8 1/2" × 11", 199 pages, 2012.