Master the Basics of Creating Beautiful Relief Carvings If you want to master the art of carving in relief, this comprehensive guidebook will teach you everything you need to know. Relief Carving Workshop takes you through every element of the relief carving process, from start to finish. Acclaimed carver and instructor Lora S. Irish shows you the easy way to learn, with step-by-step exercises on a practice board that introduce all of the essential cuts, contouring, and smoothing steps used in basic relief woodcarving. She reveals how easy it is to make each individual stroke, and shows how great relief carving simply involves using these same cuts over and over again. Clear, in-depth instructions and dozens of how-to photographs accompany eleven original new projects. You'll learn how to handle your tools, prepare a wood surface, follow a pattern, and apply a finish. With a few sharp tools, a smooth piece of wood, and this new book, you'll soon be confidently carving exquisite birds, portraits, dragons, landscapes, wood spirits, and more. Inside you'll find everything you need to get started: - Eleven new step-by-step projects - Stunning original designs and patterns - Sgraffito, bas-relief, and high relief carving - Skill-building exercises on a practice board - Selecting, handling, and sharpening carving tools - Wood selection and preparation - How to work with relief carving patterns - Finishing techniques with oil, wax, and acrylics