The Ultimate Design Sourcebook for Wood Spirits and Green Men.

Green Men and Wood Spirits, historical symbols that link the forces of nature and humanity, have re-emerged as popular subjects for woodcarvers as well as for artists of other mediums. In Wood Spirits and Green Men noted artist and author Lora S. Irish has created the ultimate sourcebook for carving these classic figures. Tips, techniques, illustrations and a full-color photo gallery provide the information and inspiration necessary to successfully create your own interpretation of this timeless icon -regardless of what medium you select.

What's Inside:

- An examination of the history and evolution of the Green Man and Wood Spirit symbols.
- Step-by-step information for carving a Green Man and a Wood Spirit walking stick by renowned carvers Chris Pye and Shawn Cipa.
- 40 ready-to-use, well-designed patterns and 50 premium illustrations.
- Tips and techniques for drawing the human face for modifying existing Green Man and Wood Spirit patterns.
- A gallery of eye-catching and inspiring photos from Clive Hicks displaying the historical - and informative -- architectural contexts of the Green Man.

Shawn Cipa's carving repertoire shows his preference for all things whimsical. His latest book, Carving Fantasy and Legend, Figures in Wood is a showcase for Shawn's artistic talent, his imaginative mind and skilled hands. Shawn's first attempt at carving was a bearded "wood spirit" face which he scrawled into a piece of found driftwood. He continues to carve solely with hand tools in the rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania.

Shawn Cipa was recognized as "Santa Carver of the Year" after he won Woodcraft's National Santa Carving contest. His work has appeared in Woodcarving Illustrated magazine. He is also the author of Carving Folk Art Figures and Wood Spirits and Green Men. Shawn accepts commissions for his work and can be contacted at www.shawnscarvings.com.

Chris Pye has been a professional woodcarver for than 25 years and is a member of the Master Carvers Association. His work is done mainly to commission, with clients including HRH the Prince of Wales. It ranges from architectural moldings to figure carving, furniture to lettering, bedheads and fireplaces. He has also written extensively about woodcarving for several magazines.

Lora Irish is an artist who runs an internet carving studio with her husband at www.carvingpatterns.com. She is a frequent contributor to Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts and Wood Carving Illustrated and the author of Great Book of Dragon Patterns, Great Book of Fairy Patterns, Great Book of Tattoo Designs, Great Book of Woodburning, and Wood Spirits and Green Men. She lives in Mt. Airy, Maryland.