Step-by-Step Instruction & Patterns for 40 Flat-Plane Carving Projects

Harley Refsal an internationally recognized carver who has been decorated by the King of Norway for his contributions to Norwegian culture shows you how to create many of your own Scandinavian style, flat-plane carvings.

With Refsal's step-by-step instructions plus a knife and a gouge or two you will learn to bring to life a traditional figure and a Dalecarlian horse. In addition, more than 40 other figure patterns-from a school teacher to a bird watcher and a leprechaun to a rooster are included. Clear directions, front and side-view patterns, and step-by-step photographs show you exactly how to make a few simple, well-placed cuts, leaving large flat planes intact on the wood-carved figure. You will be delighted with the way figures come to life with a charming, folk-art personality. Art and Technique of Scandinavian Style Woodcarving is filled with extras including:

• A history of Scandinavian woodcarving from
the days of the Vikings to the modern age
• Photographs and illustrations of ancient wooden stave churches, domestic buildings, and medieval decorative pieces
• Biographies of the greatest 19th and 20th century Scandinavian figure carvers, plus photographs of their work
• More than 50 Scandinavian patterns

This is the ideal figure carver's handbook that will be enjoyed by both beginning and advanced carvers.

Harley Refsal teaches Scandinavian Studies at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where he also holds the title Resident Fellow in Scandinavian Folk Art. He is an internationally recognized figure carver, specializing Scandinavian-style flat-plane carving. Refsal was born and raised on a farm near Hoffman, Minnesota, homesteaded by his Norwegian-immigrant grandparents. He began working in wood as a young boy. His father, a carpenter and farmer, and a woodworker uncle who lived nearby kept him well supplied with wood, tools and encouragement. Since the 1980s, Refsal, who speaks fluent Norwegian, has shared his knowledge of, and skills in, Scandinavian flat-plane carving with thousands of carvers through classes and presentations in the United States and Scandinavia. His name is so integrally linked with the revival of this carving style that it is rapidly becoming known as the Refsal style; Refsal is available to teach woodcarving seminars and judge exhibits and shows. His carvings are available for sale.