In the Fall of 1984, Jim was featured, along with eight other carvers, in the hugely successful book, How to Carve Waterfowl.  The response to his particular style and knowledge was overwhelming, and in 1985 Stackpole Publishing produced another collaborative book featuring Jim exclusively.

Waterfowl Carving with J. D. Sprankle, a 256-page book about Jim, his personal techniques and his philosophies was instantly successful.  This reference is fully illustrated and tackles the carving and painting of twenty-five decorative duck carvings.  There are 440 photographs, of which over 250 are devoted exclusively to the Gadwall Drake.  Also included are twenty-five patterns, as well as painting notes for every Sprankle carving which had been carved to date.  Written by Roger Schroeder.  Published in soft cover by Stackpole. 

Yet another joint project between Jim and Stackpole Publishing in 1987 was Painting Waterfowl with J. D. Sprankle, a 240-page book with over 500 spectacular photographs, accompanied by clear, instructive captions.  Blending color to water, building up washes, painting white on white, feather flicking and other techniques are demonstrated on the carving itself.  From the first wash to the final feather detail, the colors of each duck build dramatically.  Special color charts illustrate the exact paint mixes Sprankle uses.  Written by Curtis Badger.  Published in hard- and soft- cover by Stackpole.

The final joint project among Jim, Curtis Badger and Stackpole is entitled, Carving & Painting the GREEN-WINGED TEAL with Jim Sprankle, published in 1995.   Illustrated with close to four hundred photographs, you will see how, in Sprankle’s skilled hands, a block of basswood becomes an extraordinary life-like Greenwing Teal.  With tight shots, some only an inch from the project, you will see every significant cut, burn line and brush stroke throughout the process.

If you would like to order one of these books, please email Jim@sprankle.com .