Introduction to Chip Carving for Wooden Patterns
A course by Bernat Mercader (Wood Bern Carvings) , Craftsman
Joined March 2021
Learn the fundamentals of chip carving to create organic, geometric, patterns from the initial design to the final cut
Joined March 2021
Chip carving is a simple and affordable technique for making art out of wood – all you need is a knife! Bernat Mercader is a craftsman who specializes in creating hand-carved wooden artwork. He sells his pieces, which range from furniture to signage, via his online shop, and shares them with over 50K followers on Instagram.
In this online course, Bernat teaches you the fundamentals of wood anatomy and chip carving. Learn to create your own decorative patterns on a board from start to finish, exploring different tools, materials, and techniques. Decorate your surroundings with hypnotic geometric patterns!
What will you learn in this online course?
14 lessons & 16 downloads
- 98% positive reviews (85)
- 6,591 students
- 14 lessons (2h 12m)
- 16 additional resources (7 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: English, Spanish (Latam), French, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish
- English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Carve your own pattern on a wooden board
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone with an interest in learning how to carve their own artwork into wood.
Requirements and materials
No previous experience is required.
In terms of material, you will need a basswood wooden board, chip carving knife, and drawing materials including a ruler, compass, eraser, and fine-point pencil.
Reviews
Bernat Mercader (Wood Bern Carvings)
A course by Bernat Mercader (Wood Bern Carvings)
Bernat Mercader, or Wood Bern Carvings as he’s known online, is a wood carver based in Barcelona, Spain. He first started exploring wood carving as an art form at a workshop in the city. He then spent years honing his craft, creating small pendants and keyholders before moving on to bigger projects like furniture.
Bernat sells his work via his online shop and shares his designs with over 50K followers on Instagram. He also creates custom orders and was commissioned by dance festivals such as Hip Obsession and WGTF?! to carve trophies for their events.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
Getting the Chip Carving Basics Right
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Knife Grips and Sharpening
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Wood Grain and Fibers: Workable Woods for Chip Carving
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Drawing Geometrical Patterns and Transferring Them to the Wood
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Carving Basics 1
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Carving Basics 2
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Cleaning Cuts
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U3
Carving Your Pattern
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Carving the Border
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Carving the Small Circles
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Carving the Big Circle
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Carving the Remaining Patterns
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U4
Last Touches and Other Applications
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Finishing Products and Caring for the Piece
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Other Applications
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FP
Final project
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Introduction to Chip Carving for Wooden Patterns
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
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Certificates
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Get front-row seats
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
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Watch professionally produced courses
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for beginners and covers foundational techniques in woodcarving and chip carving, including tool selection, safety, and basic patterns.
You’ll need a chip carving knife, sandpaper, leather strop, polishing compound, basswood or other suitable wood, and basic safety gear. The course explains how to select and use each item.
You will learn chip carving and relief carving techniques, knife sharpening, safe hand positions, pattern transfer methods, geometric designs, and finishing techniques for wood art projects.
Chip carving involves removing small chips from a flat wood surface to create geometric or botanical patterns, distinct from relief carving, which creates images raised from the background.
The course teaches sharpening using sandpaper on a flat glass surface, stropping with leather and polishing compound, and adjusting the knife angle for a razor-sharp edge.
Basswood is highly recommended for beginners due to its softness and fine grain, but the course also covers selecting other suitable woods based on project needs and availability.
Yes, you’ll learn to design original geometric and botanical patterns, use compasses for circles and spirals, and experiment with freehand techniques to develop a personal style.
Oso ikastaro ona. Asko ikasi dut eta erabilgarria izango zaidala uste dut.
Muy buen curso. He aprendido muchas cosas.
Awesome craftsman-great instructor!
Corso fantastico! Bernat Mercader è un insegnante chiaro, appassionato e capace di trasmettere sicurezza anche a chi parte da zero. Grazie a lui mi sono innamorato del chip carving e oggi intaglio con entusiasmo, ogni giorno. Le lezioni sono precise, ben strutturate e piene di consigli pratici. Un corso che apre davvero un mondo.
Consigliatissimo!
Brilliant course! I'm taking up chip carving! I'll share the results soon
Corso molto interessante e ben fatto. Perfetto per un primo approccio all'affascinante mondo dell'intaglio del legno!