I use a range of power tools in my carving, including:

• a Dremel 4300 with a flex-shaft
• a Stihl 170 MSE electric plug-in chainsaw, with a 1/4 pitch carving bar
• a Skil 9004 angle grinder, with a Kutzall shaping disc
• a DWT GS06-27 LV die grinder
• a Black & Decker KA902E finger sander
• a Bosch PBS 75 AE belt sander
• a range of Kutzall, Dremel, and generic bits and burrs
• a Yihua 939 II pyrography machine
• a Calorgaz blowtorch

Typically, I begin by pulling together some pictures of the animal or bird that I want to carve. I often use different bits of different photos to get the pose I want.

If it’s particularly difficult pose, I make a little clay model, so I can see all the transitions from angle to angle. Then I try and find a suitable piece of wood from all the wood I’ve collected that’s kicking around.

I usually draw outlines of my subject directly on the wood from all angles.

Depending on size, I either use the chainsaw or angle grinder to take away the main excess. It often takes several passes to block out the general shape.

I then switch to the Dremel with Kutzall burrs to carve out the finer details. This is the longest part of the process and, depending on the size and complexity, it can take a number of days.

Once I am happy with the carving, I sand the piece, often to a fine grain.

To finish, I sometimes paint, sometimes stain, or sometimes just wax the completed article, or a mixture of all three.

You can see a selection of my projects and how they have been realised below:

• Example step-by-step photos …
• Example step-by-step videos …