Carving a Guardian Angel in Wood – One Block, One Timeless Figure

This Guardian Angel carving project is a true test of patience and precision — but the result is worth every minute. Carved from a single block of basswood, this piece has everything: a calm face, flowing robe, graceful wings, and even a carved palm branch. It’s a step up from simple beginner projects, but if you’re ready for a challenge, this is the perfect way to push your carving skills to the next level.

What You'll Need

Wood Block: Basswood, roughly 4 x 4 x 10 inches (100 x 100 x 250 mm)

BeaverCraft Tools:

• Big shallow gouge (bulk removal, smoothing)
• K8/08 Compact Gouge (rounding and subtle shaping)
• K5/12 – Compact Wood Carving Gouge (tight curves)
• C8 – Small Cutting Detail Knife (refining features)
• K12/02 – Compact Straight V-Tool (Sweep #12) (texture and sharp lines)

Other Essentials: Printed pattern, pencil, glue, and a clamp to keep your block steady

Your Carving Journey

Preparation

Start by marking the waist areas on the block with a pencil. Glue the printed patterns—front, sides, and back—onto the wood. These will keep you consistent while you carve. Saw away the marked waist sections and make a couple of relief cuts to help chips break free more easily. Leave the bottom square so you have a solid grip for clamping.

Roughing Out the Form

Begin with the wings. Use the large gouge to define their outer curves. Then move on to the body, carving away those blocky corners until you can see the posture of the figure taking shape. Open up the space between the wings and shoulders to add depth. This is where the carving starts to feel alive.

Refining the Silhouette

With most of the bulk gone, start rounding edges and softening transitions. Smooth away the rough tool marks. Pay attention to the robe—carve in the rhythm of the fabric folds and let the angel gradually emerge from the wood.

Bringing in the Details

Work slowly and carefully now. Carve the palm branch first, defining each leaf and adding light texture with clean, steady cuts. Shape the hands so they cradle the branch naturally. Don't worry about perfect anatomy—focus on capturing a gentle, peaceful gesture.

Block in the head: forehead, chin, jaw, and hair volume. Once the proportions feel right, refine the features. Carve the eyes, nose, and mouth softly. Keep the eyes just hinted rather than deeply cut, so the expression stays serene.

Sketch the feather pattern on the wings and carve them one feather at a time. Work layer by layer from top to bottom so the feathers overlap naturally. Repeat the same process on the second wing. Aim for symmetry but don't force it—real wings aren't identical.

The Finishing Touch

Remove any rough tool marks and give the piece a light sanding. Be careful around the delicate areas like the eyes, hands, and feather tips. You're looking for smooth and natural, not overworked.

When you're happy with the surface, you can leave the wood unfinished for a soft, natural look, or rub in a little oil or beeswax for a warm glow.

A block of wood transformed into a Guardian Angel. If you carved along, take a step back and admire your work. This is no small feat. And if you just watched this time, why not give it a try yourself? Projects like this teach patience, precision, and a deeper appreciation for the craft.

Author:

Wood carving guru


From a childhood enchanted by nature, my passion for wood carving guided me on a path of creativity. With a pocket knife, I uncovered the transformative power of my hands, breathing life into driftwood and forging a lifelong connection with the medium.