Carving Gargoyles, Grotesques, and Other Creatures of Myth: History, Lore, and 12 Artistic Patterns [Paperback]

If you are a wood carver, you must get Carving Gargoyles, Grotesques, and Other Creatures of Myth. Even if you are not into Gargoyles, the book has something for everybody. If you are familiar with Shawn Cipa's carving books, then you will be pleased to see that he is breaking new ground with fresh and unique subjects for woodcarving books by going back to a nearly lost art form. He has plucked an idea right from above our very heads, as he shows us amazing carving designs that exist on familiar buildings in many cities around the world. The research is thorough, the instruction is detailed and straight forward, and the choice of projects is smart with applications far beyond the Gargoyle theme.

The introduction contains folklore behind gargoyles, grotesques, guardians, and other architectural sculptures that not only provides depth to the projects, but you will find the "step by step" projects more interesting as you learn to appreciate the artistic design and craftsmanship of medieval artist's original works in stone. Additionally, each project contains a small section on lore that gives great background when you talk to others about these terrific projects. I find more and more, that when I show a piece or make something for people, they want to know more about it, if this is true for you too, then this book has got you covered.

In addition to the two main step by step projects, there are other projects that will make impressive and beautiful interior decorations. The book includes designs for a dragon grotesque that would make a very handsome book shelf sculpture. This next project has the kind of design element that will inspire you build something around it in order to showcase its beauty in the form of furniture, a cigar humidor, or a plaque. It is a relief medieval lion medallion with regal and artistic quality that you must see to appreciate. Projects like the green man decorative door-knocker and corbel designs for shelf supports will make unique and attractive conversation pieces in your home. My favorite project is very last one and it was a big surprise that actually makes a lot of sense having read the folklore history in the book. It is a caricature of a medieval wood carver from a cathedral corbel that seems as though it came right off an old English woodcarver's guild sign. This pattern alone is worth the price of the book and any woodcarver you know will want one.

Shawn Cipa also provides references for his research that are definitely worth looking up for both reference pictures and more ideas that you can use to vary the themes in this book, once you are comfortable with the basic techniques. That is what makes a great carving book; not only showing carvers "how to" make great projects, but to spark their imagination using learned techniques for application in different and original creations. This book will introduce carvers to a genre that they would not have tried otherwise, but will definitely be worth experience and is sure to build greater skill through challenging projects.

Excellent book of ideas and a few patterns for the intermediate and advanced carver. The author's insights and techniques make the book a worthwhile addition to a carver's library. The only shortcoming was small and that is that it has too few patterns.

This book is a fascinating look in to the history of gargoyles and similar creatures. I bought the book for my husband, and he promptly carved his first gargoyle based on a pattern in the book. A wonderful book for anyone interested in gargoyles or other creatures of myth.

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