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Synopsis
Providing a new twist on a holiday tradition, this book illustrates how to carve three-dimensional faces and scenes in pumpkins using tools ranging from kitchen knives to carving gouges and chisels. Complete information is provided for getting started, including an overview of tools and tips for finding the best pumpkin to work with. Step-by-step instructions are detailed for using handy household tools to carve dramatic Halloween figures and using professional tools for creating more elaborate and intricate details. Twenty pumpkin carving patterns are provided and include full-colour photographs of each finished carving.
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First Sentence
It is difficult for anyone to think of a fruit or vegetable that can stir the imagination of both children and adults alike more than a pumpkin. Read the first page
Front Cover | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
It is difficult for anyone to think of a fruit or vegetable that can stir the imagination of both children and adults alike more than a pumpkin. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
By Nicola
Format:Paperback
Can't wait til I get my first pumpkin! Great idea of pics in the back, good of you to share! :-)
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.1 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Something for both beginners and advanced carvers...
10 Oct 2004
By Okie in Alaska
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I had a tough time deciding on how many stars for this book. I really like the book but I was just a teensy bit disapointed. My reasons may be a little bit unfair but I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.
They walk you thru step-by-step how to carve one pattern with nothing but a carving knife and another pattern step-by-step with how to carve with carving tools. The photos on this part are great and close-up in color. For the pumpkin carved only with the knife they used 86 pictures! For the pumpkin done with carving tools they showed 40 (because it's faster and easier to use carving tools hence it took fewer pics). This part is very much for the beginner which is exactly what I needed. Under each photo (which are about 4 to a page) they tell you what tool to use and explain what is happening in the photo. This part is amazing, they did not skip on the photos here!
I am slightly disapointed however, because they only show two pumpkin patterns step-by-step and I admit I am greedy and would have liked more.
The other 18 pumpkins they give shaded line patterns for and a color photo of each finished pumpkin. Depending on how dark the shading is on the drawing is how deep to carve that feature. This will no doubt not bother those more advanced at carving than myself but it does intimidate me.
This book is well worth the price just for the two step-by-step pumpkins they did. I will learn a lot and maybe by the time I do a couple I will feel comfortable tackling the others on my own.
They walk you thru step-by-step how to carve one pattern with nothing but a carving knife and another pattern step-by-step with how to carve with carving tools. The photos on this part are great and close-up in color. For the pumpkin carved only with the knife they used 86 pictures! For the pumpkin done with carving tools they showed 40 (because it's faster and easier to use carving tools hence it took fewer pics). This part is very much for the beginner which is exactly what I needed. Under each photo (which are about 4 to a page) they tell you what tool to use and explain what is happening in the photo. This part is amazing, they did not skip on the photos here!
I am slightly disapointed however, because they only show two pumpkin patterns step-by-step and I admit I am greedy and would have liked more.
The other 18 pumpkins they give shaded line patterns for and a color photo of each finished pumpkin. Depending on how dark the shading is on the drawing is how deep to carve that feature. This will no doubt not bother those more advanced at carving than myself but it does intimidate me.
This book is well worth the price just for the two step-by-step pumpkins they did. I will learn a lot and maybe by the time I do a couple I will feel comfortable tackling the others on my own.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
My neighboors all raved about my pumpkins thanks to this book
12 Feb 2007
By Zach Johnson
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I got this book for halloween this year. Read through it in a short sitting, and had a clear view of how to create releaf style pumpkin sculptures in no time.
I had some background many years ago in highschool pottery classes doing sculture, and the techniques detailed in this book easily recapped each of the basics and then advanced into the more skilled techniques.
I highly recommend this for anyone with little to no sculpture background.
The draw backs I found with this book are that they focus heavily on how to accomplish the effects with typical knife. Then they transition in to using more specific tools. The issue being that they spend far less time detailing the technique with the specific/advanced tools, it would have been better if they keep the same level of tenique details for the advanced tools. Also on the subject of advanced tools, the author provide teh list of tools he uses(which have been built over many years specializing in the spaced). There is very little time spent on talking about what tools are used or suggestions of locations to get ahold of them. I have found that getting ahold of tools that fit the task have been hard to find and better descriptions or sources would be extremely helpful.
I had some background many years ago in highschool pottery classes doing sculture, and the techniques detailed in this book easily recapped each of the basics and then advanced into the more skilled techniques.
I highly recommend this for anyone with little to no sculpture background.
The draw backs I found with this book are that they focus heavily on how to accomplish the effects with typical knife. Then they transition in to using more specific tools. The issue being that they spend far less time detailing the technique with the specific/advanced tools, it would have been better if they keep the same level of tenique details for the advanced tools. Also on the subject of advanced tools, the author provide teh list of tools he uses(which have been built over many years specializing in the spaced). There is very little time spent on talking about what tools are used or suggestions of locations to get ahold of them. I have found that getting ahold of tools that fit the task have been hard to find and better descriptions or sources would be extremely helpful.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good for technique but limited examples
26 Sep 2011
By CraftyCat
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The examples and carving techniques shown in this book are excellent and well detailed. Two carving styles are demonstrated. The first uses straight knives such as a pocket knife, and the second utlizes wood carving tools. My disappointment with this book was in the limited scope of examples. When I think of pumpkin carving I think of Halloween. While there are two witches as examples in the book, there are also 2 Santas and the rest are a mixture of folk faces, such as those resembling trolls, gnomes, and the classical representative of the West Wind. Heavy, exaggerated male faces dominate. I would have greatly liked to see more Halloween themed ideas inclusive of skeletons, cats and ghosts. The book provides photographs of actual carved pumpkins, then "patterns" of those same faces, supposedly for the reader to use for their own carving. My idea of a pattern is a line drawing that can be transferred onto a pumpkin or gourd face, then detailed as you carve. The patterns provided are heavily shaded pencil drawings taken directly from the photographs, and not, I think, very helpful to use. The pumpkins in this book are only carved - not hollowed out to allow the placement of a light inside. I personally think one of the charms of carving pumpkins are the different shades of light and texture you get through the skin once you light it from inside. Overall this book is great as you see the work of a a master carver and his different techniques. If you are unfamiliar with textural carving, this book is a great reference. If you already have a grasp of the work involved in carving and want instead to get inspired to do Halloween themed pumpkins, check out the other pumpkin carving books available.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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