Chip Carving: Geometric Patterns to Draw and Chip Out Of Wood

If you want to really learn chip carving, buy this book and do what it says. You will have a great time if you do.I have been intrigued by Tatiana Baldina’s traditional Russian approach to chip carving for a while now. I saw several of her YouTube videos (which I would also highly recommend) and read some of her blogs and was completely engaged into how this style of carving is done. Wanting to know more, I found this book and decided to order it. The results is that this is a great book, which is well written not only as a tutorial guide, but also as a reference to techniques, practical methods and solutions, with a progression into advanced techniques in a non intimidating, progressive way.This book follows a much different approach to chip carving than the Swedish methods found in most chip carving books here in the USA. The primary (and only) knife used here is a skew knife (often used as a stabbing knife in other methods). The hand techniques are are different, using a more vertical approach (mainly because of the orientation of the cutting edge). It is an excellent method that the student can consider as either their main method, or a good secondary method if they are wanting to learn more than one set of techniques. While the results are basically the same, I do find myself preferring this Russian method, especially when working with projects which project a small or complicated working surface.First, this is not just a book of projects and patterns with a short two pages at the beginning on how to chip carve and what tools you will need. Yes it has some projects and it has some patterns. But more importantly, Tatiana shows how to make those patterns, designs, and projects. And insofar as tools and techniques, the book devotes a considerable amount of its pages just to those elements in a very detailed fashion. She also spends a great number of pages on developing practice boards and practice approaches.Basic to advanced shapes and cutting techniques are presented successively, with a many detailed narratives accompanied by photographs. As the book progresses, methods for drawing patterns using basic drawing tools (compass, ruler, pencil) are also included. These drawing methods are shown with the same high level of clear details, narratives, and photographs that are devoted to all of the other elements, so very little ends up lacking for the student.One thing that also sets this book apart is that it is engaging. It is clear that the author loves her work and her enthusiasm shows through in the presentation of the book. The attention to details in its writing and assemblage are obvious and are well designed to bring the reader into this special niche of wood carving. I think this is a very important aspect since the very tenacious nature of chip carving can seem intimidating to some (despite the simplicity of its foundational cuts) and tedious to others. Tatiana’s presentation, however, compels the reader, like a good story, to turn the page and find out where her carvings are going.I have carved using the Swedish method as promulgated by Wayne Barton and others. It is a good approach and produces very nice, repeatable, and predictable results (which is critical to chip carving). But I have often found gaps between what many of the books show to do, and what also needs to be done to properly execute the techniques. There are always, of course, the online videos which can help fill those gaps, but that only works when they are showing the same exact techniques or methods in the books you were reading. That is not an indictment on the technique, just on some of the books providing teaching methods for the technique.I started looking at this book because of the different approach and method, but I became further engaged when I understood the level of details that the book gave in demonstrating and teaching this different approach. The practice exercises are very easy to follow, with a very systematic presentation that gives a structured approach. The later chapters take the mystery out of some of the more advanced techniques, such as multi-level cuts, cuts with embedded cuts, and other complex designs. There is a lot of discussion throughout the book devoted to reading grain, with the grain, and cross grain cutting, which is important and fundamental to any woodworking approaches. In chip carving, I have had many cuts go badly or blow out because I misjudged the grain behavior. I do a lot of furniture woodworking and I appreciated this consideration.Tatiana also gives several good ideas and methods for finishing approaches, which is sometimes glossed over in other books. I am not expecting a tutorial guide on finishes (for which there are several excellent other books), but it does help to know what and how masters such as Tatiana present and finish their works, since that is what we ultimately wow over.If you are new to chip carving or looking for a different approach to chip carving, you should give this book a try. It is definitely one of these benchmark setting books out there, and that is not meant in criticism of the other fine chip carving books. This is simply a work which definitely sets itself apart as something special.Finally, this is a beautifully photographed book with an excellent presentation in its layout and editing. These are qualities that add to the ease and enjoyment of any book. The photography also helps inspire the reader to get the knife out and carve, which should be an objective of any book like this.

I'm an experienced woodworker and novice chip carver. I purchased this book based on Ms. Baldina's impressive videos. She carves in the Russian style using a skew knife. Her results speak for themselves. While I would not recommend this as a first introductory book to chip carving, I strongly recommend it as a second book. Ms. Baldina thoroughly explains her methods of work with pictures and clear step by step instructions. While I use the more familiar Swiss method o carving, I've found her skew knife method to be very handy for certain situations. What I appreciate most about this book is that it's not a collection of projects but a method book of patterns, teaching both how to draw them and how to carve them. If you are a novice like me, this book will expand your skill set at an early stage of development. If you are an experienced carver, this book will challenge you to look at the familiar in a new way. The book is well written, beautifully photographed, and well bound. It has a nice collection of templates including a very useful 2-sided practice board. This book is a bargain at the price.

I purchased the Kindle version and was disappointed. The book is not formatted to fill the Kindle screen. Even on my 8 inch Fire tablet, the print was tiny and needed every page expanded to read well. I purchased the physical book in order to read it more easily.Beyond that difficulty, the information in this book is excellent. I have some tendonitis which flares up when chip carving using traditional Swedish style knives and methods. The Russian style of chip or (geometric) carving keeps the hand and wrist in a more comfortable position for me. I have had good success with both a skew knife and the knife hatchet that she describes in this book. There are YouTube videos on geometric carving that helped me better see the technique for these knives.If you are a chip carver, or just curious, this book is wonderful at teaching how to design and lay it out, as well as how to use the knives to carve well. I will read and refer to it often to keep the information fresh.

Great book and illustrated well..........

Good patterns. A picture of a knife-hatchet is shown and the author says it and a skew knife are the types she used through out the book but all the other picture examples only show a skew knife.

I was very excited to see that Tatiana Baldina had a book. I have watched her YouTube videos for some time now. As an amateur woodworker/carving craftsman, I have been and continue to research the trade to gain knowledge and information to be better educated. I think it helps when I practice or work to be more proficient with better results. Over the last few years, I have grown an extensive library of books and reference material from many truly great and extremely talented artists with wood, (in my opinion). I would list Tatiana in my personal Top Five favorite artists. She does exceptional work with great precision and ease. She is a true Master Craftsman/Craftswoman. Her book is very detailed and an excellent addition to my library.

Great book going through all the carving practicing and getting the hang of it.

Looking for a starter book and this fits the bill. There are numerous patterns and lots of details on how to layout a design

Buen libro para iniciarse en chip carving, los patrones están explicados paso a paso, tanto el dibujo como la talla.

Haven't had a chance to read much so far but what I glanced at was well put together. the photography is well done and the layout of the book is also professionally done

livre en anglais mais comme il y a beaucoup de photos on arrive à comprendre. il y a des modèles pour s'entrainer à manier le couteau et 14 modèles plus élaborés. les patrons sont expliqués avec une photo à chaque étape. par ex: dans un carré de 4cm tracez les diagonales( en anglais) mais il y a une photo avec les 2 diagonales, faire un point à 2 cm du centre, photo avec la règle et le point tracé... ensuite même principe pour chaque étape de la gravure il y a une photo. et si vous n'avez pas envie de tracer le modèle à la règle et compas, il y a les patrons grandeur nature, à décalquer ou photocopier

This book has step to step guide on drawing patterns as well as templates at the back of the book I'm very happy with my purchase and delivery speed great for beginners!!!

Nel panorama di libri sul tema, senz'altro utile e ben fatto per realizzare lavori di incisione o scolpitura