Elma Waltner; Crafts Designer from Hurley; South Dakota; has put together a series of specific instructions that will enable even the amateur; using the simplest tools and materials; to progress easily from raw wood to an interesting hand-carved animal. All thats needed is a small block of two-inch wood mdash; redwood; white pine; sugar pine; western pine; basswood; cottonwood; or any other soft wood mdash; and a simple pocket or carvers knife. Inexpensive watercolors or enamels; shellac; and varnish are perfect for decoration and finishing.Each step in the carving is made absolutely clear through photographs and angle sketches. There are profile patterns (to be traced on the block) for all of the 24 projects; ranging from Bolivar Bull through Casper Camel to Sammy Stegosaurus. Horatio Horse; Gulliver Goat; and Esmerelda Elephant serve as teaching pieces; with complete instructions from start to finish for each. Once these have been mastered; the same methods are easily applied to the rest of the projects; and special steps in the carving of these are again shown in photographs.The poses and animals represented here are only a beginning in animal caricature; and the hobbyist will soon find himself developing other animals and other poses of these familiar friends to add to his wooden menagerie. They will find in these and in their own projects an almost inexhaustible source of gentle relaxation and delight.
#1190613 in eBooks 2012-11-09 2012-11-09File Name: B00A736DLU
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A Necessity for Understanding Chinese ArtBy krislynnI have been researching Korean Art symbolism for many years and have acquired many books that interpret symbolism in paintings. I thought I had found the best sources of motif interpretation that a researcher could find...UNTIL:I found this book on while looking for something else. But; when I read the summary of the book I decided to buy it an add it to my collection.But; when I got it and read it I was absolutely amazed as to the depth and detail about Chinese symbolism that was contained in this book. For certain I can discard all my other books and use this single book to do any research on symbolism that I might want to indulge. C.A.S. Williams book is good; but this book is GREAT!!!The photos and illustrations are great and very informative. The manner in which the motifs and symbolism are explained is more detailed that I have found anywhere else.This is the complete book and is now my main reference book for understanding motifs and symbolism in Oriental Art!This is a MUST HAVE for students and researchers of Asian Art!!!!!!!!!I would recommend it be available; maybe even required; for every class of Asian Art; and especially Chinese Art. Every school and library should have this book so that amateurs and professional alike will obtain the ultimate understanding of what is represented in the Art Works they might be viewing/studying. I have found Chinese art to be very difficult to understand without a basic knowledge about the symbolism/motifs represented in the art.Chinese Art is never what it appears at first glance; and this book will allow every connoisseur to better understand Asian Art!!Kudos to the Author!!!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent guide to Chinese art imageryBy Brian O. The subjects are laid out topically and represent likely decades of research into Chinese art and literature. This book will help art students and collectors a great deal. It also contains many helpful color pictures.8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Outstanding!By howardq9This is an excellent book. For anyone who has admired a painting on a Chinese vase; the carving on a Coromandel screen or even the costumes in a Chinese New Years Day parade - and wondered about the significance or meaning of the flowers; animals; colours; symbols and everything else - you will find the answers in this beautifully organized; lavishly illustrated; comprehensive volume.The book can be read cover-to-cover as specialized art and cultural history or opened anywhere for a fascinating glimpse into a fascinating civilization. The author brings an immense academic understanding to her subject and writes clearly; concisely; eloquently; although the book can be read by any enthusiast for things Chinese it will undoubtedly find a place on the scholars reference bookshelf as well.CHINESE ART tackles a complicated philosophical theme - the perception of a civilization through its imagery and designs - and succeeds wonderfully. A pleasure to read and to own; a remarkable achievement; and probably definitive. Five stars.