Beginning Carving
Although the Wisconsin School of Chainsaw Carving up in Hayward is a fantastic school for a weeklong structured class, it is costly. About five years ago it was $1750.00 plus supplies for a five day class.
Geographically, you have two absolutely phenominal chainsaw carvers in your home state of Iowa, Gary Keenan and Ken Tynan.If I were in your shoes I would make a conserted effort to track these guys down, find out where they are carving and ask them if they would be kind enough to give you some pointers.
I help out Loghoggers in the summer and over the years have had the privelidge of watching and helping some of the best carvers in the United States. You would be suprised at how many of them do there finish cutting with a 12 inch quarter tip bar, running .325 and/or .375 chain.
To start out carving with a minimal expense, I would pick up a quarter tip bar and chain for your saw and experiment. If you get bit by the carving bug, you can always expand your arsenal.
The main thing is to carve safe. Elevate your work to a comfortable level,if you can. Secure your workpieces so they can't move, and try not to have your bar positioned so that it is in line with your face for the enevitable kick-back.
It is very easy to get caught up in the novelty/excitement of carving. Take breaks, step back from your work ocassionally so you keep features in proportion, and last but not least, when you feel fatigued, quit until you are rested and on top of your game.
As a beginning carver, you will be holding you saw a lot higher and in alot more awkward positions than if you were limbing or blocking out firewood.
Use the appropriate PPE and be safe.
Oh ,by the way,have fun and BE SAFE>-ken