Wood Carving Techniques Every Beginner Should Practice First
Thinking about trying wood carving as a hobby? It’s a fun and relaxing way to get creative while making unique things with your own hands.

To get started, you’ll need to learn some basic techniques and get to know the tools and materials you’ll be working with.
Let’s take a look at the basics of wood carving, its history, the tools you’ll need, and the best types of wood for beginners.
Basic Techniques Every Beginner Should Know for Wood Craving
If you’re just starting out with wood carving, here are basic techniques you should try:
1. Whittling

Whittling is one of the most basic forms of carving wood. It requires only a carving knife to shave thin slivers of wood, to obtain a smooth surface or even rough shapes.
It is most appropriate for this category of users because it familiarizes one with the knife and the way to control it and the cuts that one is likely to make.
2. Relief Carving
This technique involves creating designs that appear either raised or engraved on a flat surface of a wooden piece.
You build up the layers to give the work depth and detail. One should spend time on trying to regulate the depth of the cut to get accustomed to using this technique.
3. Chip Carving
Chip carving is the process of carving patterns on a flat surface using a knife or chisel accompanied by the removal of small chips of wood.
It is perfect for designing objects such as a box or furniture. Newbie should target at making neat and uniform incisions for smooth patterns.
4. Carving in the Round
Sculpting that involves carving figures which are complete with all round symmetry and can be viewed from any angle is also referred to as full sculpting.
Relief carving is more basic than raised carving because in raised carving you have to understand about shapes and proportions. First, use basic concepts and then move to more complex concepts.
5. Knife Carving

This technique employs various carving knives in order to carve and create intricate designs on the wood.
It is ideal for intricate designs and fine finishes on the work piece. To introduce the concept of different angles of holding the knife to produce different effects of cutting.
6. Carving with Gouges
Gouges are basically curved knives that can be of various forms and sizes. They are ideal for carving curved or concave surfaces, and they are used in carving in layers or reliefs or carving figures that are three-dimensional (in-the-round carving).
Beginners should then learn how to regulate the angle and the pressure in order to achieve smooth flowing curves.
7. Veining
Veining is all about trying to shave very fine details such as the veins in a leaf or the texture of feathers.
You’ll use a V-shaped tool called a veiner for this; It’s a good way to hone in on the precision and control necessary for adding finer details in painting.
8. Piercing

Piercing involves making holes right through the wood in order to make open designs such as those found in ornaments or wooden screens.
It is easier to cut through the wood when the shapes to be cut are simple so that the operator can get a feel of the tool without snapping the wood.
9. Texturing
Inlaying brings life to your carvings by making the texture of the carving to be of fur, wood grain or folds of fabric.
These can be used to make various effects where chisels, gouges or even sand paper can be used. Doing this will assist you in making your carvings to resemble more like life like carvings.
10. Sanding and Finishing
Carving is followed by smoothing which brings out rough areas and then the final process of protecting the wood and make it look great.
You can try to scrape the surface with sandpaper and then apply oil, wax or varnish to know the difference in the shade and grain of the wood.
History of Wood Carving
Wood carving is all about shaping wood into different forms and designs using special tools. It’s an age-old craft, with cultures around the world adding their own styles and traditions to it.
From detailed totems to everyday items like spoons, wood carving blends art with practicality and it’s always cool to make something with your own hands.
This craft started as a way to make useful items from wood but grew into a meaningful art form.
Early humans used basic tools to carve symbols and figures, and over time, wood carving became more advanced, with each culture bringing unique techniques and styles.
1. Egypt used wood for furniture and beautifully carved coffins.
2. Asia carved wood for temples and spiritual pieces.
3. Europe created detailed carvings for churches during the Middle Ages.
4. Indigenous cultures in the Americas used carving to tell stories and create art.
Today, wood carving keeps these traditions alive while mixing in modern creativity, making it a timeless way to express yourself.
Basic Wood Carving Tools for Beginners
Here are essential tools that will help you as a beginner;
1. Whittling Knife

A whittling knife is one of the simplest and most versatile tools for wood carving. It’s great for small projects like shaping figures, carving designs, or just shaving down a piece of wood.
Whittling is easy to start; you just need a sharp knife, something to keep it sharp, and some wood.
However, many carving teachers recommend starting with chisels or gouges instead of knives because they’re generally safer. When using a gouge, your hands stay behind the blade, reducing the risk of injury.
With a whittling knife, your hands or fingers might end up in the blade’s path, so you need extra care and control. With proper technique and safety precautions, though, whittling can be both safe and fun.
2. Chisels and Gouges

Chisels and gouges are essential for any wood carving project. Gouges, with their curved blades, are great for scooping out wood and creating rounded or hollow shapes.
Chisels, with flat blades, are perfect for straight lines and flat surfaces.
With a good set of these tools, you can carve detailed scenes on wood panels, add decorative touches to furniture, make whimsical faces on tree stumps, or even sculpt realistic 3D figures.
They’re incredibly versatile and often become the backbone of a woodcarver’s toolkit.
3. Sharpening Tools

Sharp tools are key to successful wood carving. They make cleaner cuts, reduce frustration, and even help prevent accidents.
Once you experience carving with sharp tools, you’ll never go back.
To keep your tools sharp, you’ll need sharpening stones, strops, or a sharpening system. Many beginners find diamond sharpening stones and strops easy to use.
Whatever system you choose, keeping your tools razor-sharp will make carving smoother and more enjoyable.
Selecting the Right Wood for Carving
One of the most important steps in carving is choosing the right kind of wood that will help you in your carving project.
Here are some of the best options, especially for beginners:
1. Basswood

Basswood is ideal for the novice carver because it is fine-grained, easily worked, and free from blemish.
That means that when you are working, it is not very probable that it will splinter or tear. Especially when you are starting to shave fine lines, it is perfect for both shaving and relief carving.
2. Butternut

If you are looking for something more unique, butternut is the way to go. It is a softwood, which has an attractive grain pattern which enhances the aesthetic value of the projects.
It is slightly harder than basswood but still easy to carve because it retains that slightly grainy texture.
3. Pine

Pine is the third option for the first-timers as well. It is cheap, readily available and suitable for use in large scale projects.
But it can be a little challenging due to its resin, the wood becomes sticky and sometimes challenging to carve.
This is the knowledge that helps in gaining the basic skills in carving woods as a carver. For a beginner, the most important things are control, precision and patience.
You will then be able to take simple pieces of wood and shape them into intricate masterpieces with lots of time and practice.