For a carving of that independent but valuable beast of the desert, the camel, select a block of clear pine wood 1.25 inches thick, 3.5 inches long, and 4.25inches high.

Although the camel has a number of highly individualized characteristics, each one is so pronounced that the whittler should have little difficulty in reproducing them.

The knee joints are prominent; the tail is medium length with a tuft of black hair at the end; the nostrils are wide slits and the ears are ballshaped.

After tracing the pattern to the block, with the grain of the wood according to the arrow in Figure 7, follow the pictured instructions, Figures 8 to 14, completing the work with colors as shown in Figure 15.

Figure 8. The block has been cut out; the center line and outline of the tail have been drawn in. First knife cuts are made to rough out the tail.

Figure 7

Figure 9. The tail is now rough-blocked and the knife is shifted to the hind legs, V notching until a space is cut through in order that the legs may be carved.

Figure 10. Turn block and begin cutting at the front legs. Do not touch the feet at this point, as the pads are cut full width of the wood.

Figure 11. In this photograph, the hump of the camel is being formed. The left hand holds the block securely as the hump is beveled and the sides are rounded.

Figure 8

Figure 10

Figure 12

Figure 14

Figure 12. The hump and sides have been carved in roughly. Now begin carving at the head. Cut away waste wood around the ears and form the face of the camel.

Figure 13. Cutting the space between the legs is a delicate job which requires a sharp blade. Cut fine chips until the space has been opened as shown in the photo. After the legs have been formed, go over the entire body of the camel and smooth up the rough cuts.

Figure 14. Finishing steps in this carving will be to notch the mouth and the pads of the feet. See photo of finished camel, p. 14, for the details of foot and head construction. Color guide, Figure 15.