Carving Gargoyles, Grotesques, and Other Creatures of Myth: History, Lore, and 12 Artistic Patterns (Fox Chapel Publishing) 350 Photos, 2 Step-by-Step Projects, Woodcarving Techniques, Tips, and More

by Shawn Cipa

Learn how to carve a gargoyle from start to finish! Craft a legendary architectural element for your home or garden! Peering down from rooftops with their haunting, even humorous expressions, gargoyles have endured for centuries as architectural necessities designed to divert rainwater away from age-old buildings or—as legend has it—to ward off evil and protect the cathedrals, churches, and homes where they are perched! Today, these mysterious beasts are a popular carving subject for anyone looking to add primitive ornamentation in and around their homes, or simply as a form of artistic expression. If you've ever wanted to carve a gargoyle, grotesque, chimera, or guardian, or just understand their differences, this unique step-by-step tutorial from renowned woodcarver Shawn Cipa will guide you from start to finish! In addition to being led through the entire carving and finishing process, you'll also discover fascinating legends, lore, and symbolism about each of these mythical creatures, where surviving gargoyles can be found around the world, and the facts and conjecture surrounding their purpose and meaning. Follow more than 200 step-by-step photos and instructions to create a Traditional Water-Spouting Gargoyle and a Classic Grotesque, mastering woodcarving skills along the way. Then, you'll find 10 additional original patterns for rowdy characters, like the Crouching Imp and the Screaming Keystone Grotesque, that you can carve on your own, providing new challenges for experienced carvers. You'll even find patterns for functional projects, like a gargoyle cane-topper, and a green man door knocker. Complete patterns and views of all sides are provided, along with advice on wood grain, tips for an artist's approach, detailed close-ups, tricks for securing and mounting your work, and a gallery of gargoyles from around the world. From chimeras to gargoyles, this 160-page guide to making mysterious figures will walk even beginning woodworkers through the entire carving process, including finishing techniques to fully capture the haunting and humorous expressions of these popular ornaments. Learn all about the history of gargoyles and follow along to carve your own in wood, with Carving Gargoyles, Grotesques, and Other Creatures of Myth ! With the inspiration offered by the many engaging photographs of gargoyles in this book, and by following Shawn Cipa's extremely lucid instructions, it is possible to create one's own mesmerizing monster.
—Janetta Rebold Benton, Ph.D., Author of Holy Gargoyles on Medieval Buildings This is a must-have book for all gargoyle aficionados, not just for wood carvers.
—Walter S. Arnold, Stone Carver and President of the Stonecarvers Guild

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Reference

159 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

Reviews

[Ann Keller]

I really enjoyed learning about the history and lore of gargoyles and other mythical creatures. I've admired them for ages, but never really understood their purpose.

On cathedrals, the gargoyle served a simple, yet lofty purpose. These decorative waterspouts, creatures of stone, channeled rainwater away from the sides of the big churches, thus helping to ensure that the base of the cathedral would not be eroded. The reason many of Europe's great churches still stand today is due to these simple, yet effective devices.

There were also guardians placed at the entrances of buildings. Although they might be grotesque creatures, they did not have to be. The lions gracing the front of the New York Library are a worthy case in point.

The latter part of this book is devoted to several designs for making your own gargoyle or grotesque. Step-by-step instructions lead the reader through selecting the perfect block of basswood, arranging carving knives and gouges, veiner, mallet and bandsaw, to cutting the image into the wood and freeing the gargoyle in all his glory.

The author also provides helpful hints on preserving and finishing the final product, coating the wood with linseed oil, mineral spirits and whitewash, then aggressively buffing the wood with steel wool to bring out the tool marks. This creates a truly unusual piece of art, one which anyone would be proud to claim.

[david marsden]

This book is a good starting point for would be carvers, and the able alike. It is full of ideas and inspiration, as well as the techniques fully explained. Plenty of drawings to guide you along also. I did several carvings from this book, with great success. Also other carvings of my own design inspired by the book. I am a seasoned wood carver, although it isn't my hobby, I carve when the mood takes me. But, when I flip through this book it gets me in the mood just by looking at the author's work inspires me. I would thoroughly recommend this book.

[Kimmay]

I was in the library picking up a book they had on hold for me, as I was walking to the front desk the book practically jumped off the shelf and said take me home and read me, please !

Now I have no intention of carving gargyles or grotesques or even small figurines, lol but i do have a great appreciation for this type of art, so home came the book with me. Lol

The gargoyle info in here was interesting and i love the pictures of the different styles of gargoyles and grotesques. Very cool book even if you don't plan on carving wood it was informative on the history and styles and origins of gargoyles & grotesques.

The pictures of the gargoyles were very cool.

[Pixie]

Interesting historical information provided as well as step by step carving projects.