Welcome To

Scott Carvings

My name is Russell Scott, a wood artist from Saint Paul, Minnesota, with a passion for wood carving and the desire to bring out the beauty that lies in each piece of wood. I carve mainly in basswood, but also butternut and cottonwood bark for wood spirits, Santas, Native Americans and Nome houses. 

I learned how to carve in January 1999 and have enjoyed wood carving since then. I carved Santas, angels, and wood spirits that I gave away to family and friends as gifts.  As my skills improved, I entered my carvings in local competitions that I’ve won several awards. This encouraged me to further to increase my wood carving skills by taking additional wood carving classes locally and nationally. 

I have consulted with experienced carvers for new techniques in carving, painting and finishing. Through different wood carving clubs, I attended many different wood carving lectures on carving techniques, harvesting and preparing wood, selling procedures, wood burning, intarsia, painting, and collecting carvings.  With that, I have given many presentations of my artistry in wood carving. Though I have advanced my skills in wood carving classes, books and patterns, I’ve decided to design carvings on my own and present these patterns and techniques to other wood carvers with positive feedback and ideas. I plan to keep carving and learn many new skills in wood carving.

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There are so many Scott Carving rough outs to chose from

Scott Carving Rough Outs

Scott Carvings carries a large selection of quality northern Basswood roughouts including whimsical Santas, soldiers, Thanksgiving/Wedding couples and Vikings, to name a few. Each rough out was created with the finest northern basswood. Also, each rough out, comes with a colorful multi-view printout to aid the carver in finishing the carving.

Basswood roughouts are both for the beginner whittler,as-well-as the advanced wood carvers. Roughouts are a great way for woodcarvers to begin a project who do not have access to a bandsaw or other wood working equipment.

Again, these are roughouts only, for the wood carver and not for sale as finished carving. If you wish for me to finish and paint a rough out for you, email me for prices.

Instructional Wood Carving Books at ScottCarvings.com

Scott Carvings Instructional Books

Whether you're a beginner wood carver recently introduced wood carving, a carver expanding your skills with new ideas, an intermediate wood carver ready to put your skills to new patterns and new techniques, these carving books are brimming with expert step-by-step instruction and extra wood carving patterns.

You'll learn the classic carving styles and techniques along with the fundamentals and finishing your completed work. These easy to carve projects will help propel your carving skills through the wonderful world of wood carving.

From Santas to female and Native American figures, inside each spiral bound workbook, you'll find clear, easy-to-follow instructions and detailed patterns for carving a variety of wood carving projects. Three projects are done in small steps that guarantee success.

Scott Carvings carving classes

Wood Carving Classes

I often teach woodcarving classes. Here are list of those wood carving classes available to the wood carver. Wood is a slow, tough medium; each piece presents unique challenges that will be explained and demonstrated by the instructor to ensure the wood carver goes home with something new.

Understanding wood carving design structure, tool design, basic hand carving techniques and wood carving creating skills are some of the many topics for discussion. In these wood carving classes you will be taught wood carving project that will have you practice your new skills at home.

Wood carving classes are great ways to find new wood carving friends and connect with old carving buddies. The camaraderie and fellowship will add joy to your learning time. Let’s make new wood carving friends.

Scott Carvings on YouTube

Scott Carvings on YouTube

I offer YouTube videos to help enhance your carving skills, as well as starting beginners in the art of wood carving and whittling. Inside each YouTube video you'll find clear easy-to-follow instructions, some with detailed patterns for carving a variety of figures. These videos are fast pace to fit in a wood carving weekend class in a couple of hours. You can stop the video at anytime if I get too much ahead for you to catch up. See you at my YouTube channel.

Carving Undercover Santas from Russell Scott

Carving Undercover Santas - Fox Chapel Wood Carving Books

He's always watching, but ever wonder how? Carving Undercover Santas features 7 step-by-step projects with patterns for carving Santa in disguises during his off-season, plus a gallery of 6 additional designs. From a Chef and Park Ranger Santa to a Lifeguard and Basketball Coach Santa, make St. Nick part of your décor all year-round! Carving Undercover Santas brings you step-by-step instructions. Order now and start that satisfying new project today.

Some of Scott Carvings Santa Carvings

Finished Carvings for Sale on Etsy.com

At Scott Carvings, each carving is created entirely by hand, carved free form from a model that exists only in the mind of the creator.  Each one-of-a-kind carving reflects the eternal spirit that lies in the wood. I use chisels and knives to bring out the wood’s own quiet personality.  

Painting is the next process to finish the piece. During this wood carving creation process I think about the customer, one who will enjoy these pieces forever. Why not let these characters become a part of your family, they come from the heart of Minnesota where they are still done one at a time and everyone is an original?

And thus, my motto: “I create wood carvings that family will argue over for generations.”

Check out my (and my wood carving friends’) pins on my Pinterest site – Click Here