5-Minute Owl
Easy beginner project is ideal for
teaching and demonstrations
By Jan Oegema
This quick little owl is an excellent
project that builds confidence
and teaches fundamental carving
techniques.
The design includes all of
the basic cuts: stop cut, push cut,
paring cut, chip cut, and stab cut.
Unfortunately, I can’t take credit
for the idea. The design has been
around for decades and as the
instructions have been passed
along from carver to carver, the
project has evolved and the name
of the originator has been lost.
If you can identify the person
responsible, please contact the
magazine so we can give the
proper credit.
I start with a 6"-long blank. 1 Draw in the top of the head.
2 Shape the top of the head.
This provides plenty of wood to
Measure down 1/2" (13mm) on the front Use either a push cut or a paring cut to
hold as I carve an owl on each and back corners. Sketch a line from the remove the triangles sketched in Step 1.
end. When you finish the carving, side corners down to these marks. Use This forms the top of the owl’s head. The
simply cut it from the blank. the drawings as a guide. This gives you type of cut you use depends on the grain
two triangles on opposite sides of the of the wood and your hand strength.
blank.
36 Woodcarving Illustrated | FALL 2009
CARVING THE OWL
3 4 Rough out the owl. Use a
5 Sketch in the beak and ears.
Mark the bottom of the head
and body. Use the drawings as a guide. paring cut or a push cut to carve from Use the drawings as a guide. The ears
Draw in the perch and the bottom of the middle of the owl’s belly, halfway are defined by long sloping curves
the head, and make 1/8" (3mm)-deep between the perch and the bottom of across the top and down both sides.
stop cuts along these lines. Mark the the head, up to the stop cuts. Use push The beak is defined by two triangular
sharp corners to remove on the belly, cuts to remove the sharp corners on the cuts starting approximately 1/4" (6mm)
sides, and the back of the head. front and sides of the owl, and taper the from the front corner of the blank on
back of the head. either side.
6 Carve the ears and beak. Use a
7 Carve the eyes and claws. Make
8 Add the wings and feathers.
push cut to carve along the sloping lines two small chip cuts on each side of the Make two angled cuts to define each
of the ears. Use caution not to chip out perch to define the claws. Remove a wing on the back of the blank. Use a 1/4"
the ears. Make stop cuts along the lines three-corner chip for each eye. Make #6 gouge to make stab cuts defining
of the beak and slice up to the stop cuts two slightly curved angled cuts above the three rows of feathers on the owl’s
to free the chips. Sketch in the eyes, the eye for each eyebrow. belly. Apply your finish of choice.
eyebrows, and claws.
www.woodcarvingillustrated.com 37
Малюнок сови
2 см
1 см
Нижня
лінія
голови
верхня
розмітка
лап
1 см
2 см
Лицева Лицева
сторона сторона
1 см
0,5 см
Задня Лицева
сторона сторона
MATERIALS: materials & tools
• 1 " x 1" x 6" (25mm x 25mm x 152mm)
basswood or wood of choice
• F inish of choice (I left my owl
unfinished, but you could use a clear About the Author
lacquer or washes of acrylic paint) Jan Oegema lives in
Bowmanville, Ont., Canada.
TOOLS: For more of his work, visit
• C arving knife of choice www.janscarvingstudio.com.
• Pencil Jan has a woodspirit study
• Ruler stick available from Fox Chapel,
www.foxchapelpublishing.com.
38 Woodcarving Illustrated | FALL 2009
