Woodcarving Illustrated

Well, look who made it into the magazine. I'm pretty proud of this article.

Pugilist Update #4

At this point I have sanded with 220 grit and carved in the details. Also, I have carved the eyes and wood burned the irises. Still need to sand with 320 grit. I am not going to paint him, I'll finish him with wax. But I can't decide if I want to wood burn the moustache and eye brows, apply a black wash or leave them as is.

Pugilist Update #3

I have hand sanded the pugilist with 80 grit and followed up with 150 grit. I will carve in more detail and then a fine sanding. I've also started roughing out his hands.

Pugilist Update #2

I worked on his ears today. Since he is a fighter, he suffers from cauliflower ear. Too many shots to the head.

 

Pugilist Update

Found some time to carve, here's an update on my current project. In the top photos I have roughed in the nose and ears. The bottom photos I have roughed in the eyes, mouth and chin. Also started to define the neck.

The Pugilist

Started a new project from basswood. I drew a basic sketch and attached the front and side views with spray adhesive. Then cut out the blank with a band saw.

Here's Cecil

Well I finally found a source for two-part wood bleach.
http://www.hardwareworld.com
You only want to mix up what you can use. Once applied to the wood, it will continue to whiten until you neutralize it with water. I am pleased with the results. I have applied three light coats of Deft Satin Lacquer. I will apply a coat of wax after a few days.

After bleaching.

After lacquer.

Wood Spirit

I started this cottonwood bark carving at a carving demonstration with Northland Woodcarvers. The bark is 16" long by 4"wide and 2 3/4" thick. Finished with Howard' Feed'N'Wax.

Native American Bust

Trying to get a garden in and keeping up with yard work this spring, has really cut into my carving time. But, I was finally  able to finish this carving. If you have been following the progress, you know he is carved from a 7" butternut log. He measures 16" tall. I finished him the same way I have other carvings in butternut. I applied a mixture of boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits, allowing a few days to dry. Then several coats of Deft Satin lacquer.

Before oil

After applying oil

Native American Bust Update

Here are latest pics, still needs a lot of detail work.

Native American Bust

I started a new project from a butternut log measuring 16" long and 7" in diameter. I first rough out with a chainsaw. Then, it is on to to the mallet tools. Still a long way to go on this one, but I think he's shaping up nice.

Cecil Update

Here's the latest on Cecil. Still working on the hair and beard.

Progress on Cecil

More pics of my latest project. In these steps I removed wood and rounded the top of his head. Roughed in the nose and mouth. Created the eye mounds and carved the eyes. More detail on the eyes later.