Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

I think I've seen the movie 'Frozen' too many times. But, I did like Olaf. I'll have to carve him soon. In the meantime, I've been busy carving these little guys. I don't use a pattern, just start with a 1 5/8" x 1 5/8" block 4" long and lay out the nose on a corner. Round the rest of the block, tapering the top to a smaller diameter. Use a v-tool to outline the scarf, hat and coat. Carve the areas down to the stop cuts. Add texture to the hat and scarf. I use a wood burner to darken the mouth after painted.

Portrait Drawing

I started a portrait drawing class with a new instructor. The first one, a self portrait, was drawn while looking in a mirror. The second is from a photo of  my great-niece.

Clay Sculpting Class Update

This is my first attempt at clay sculpting. I took a class back in July, and finally got around to completing him. It is an oil based clay, so it will not harden. It measures 2 3/4" wide and 5 3/4" tall. I plan on using it as a "go by" for a larger woodcarving.

Defiant

Well this one has been a long time on my carving bench, but I finally finished him today. If you've been following along you know I started on him June 3. Summer is not a good time for me to carve since I am usually doing yard work or in the vegetable garden. I still try to carve everyday, but I don't seem to get a lot done. You'll notice I refined his facial features from the last post. I sprayed several coats of Deft lacquer, rubbing the carving with a paper sack between coats. Then sprayed a light coat of Krylon Matte to knock down the shine. I then applied a mixture of 3/4 Watco Natural and 1/4 Watco Dark wax to the carving and allowed that to dry and then buffed with a brush. This is a different finish than I have been using, but I like the way he turned out. I think his expression screams out defiant, hence his name.

Primitive Bird Relief

A commissioned piece I just completed. I usually don't do relief carvings, but this was requested by my drawing instructor. She is also a great painter, so I suggested a barter. A carving for one of her paintings. I delivered this to her yesterday, and she loved it. I will post the painting when I receive it. The bird was a design she found in an old church being demolished. The corner trim on the door frames are usually rosettes, this one had birds. She tried to purchase one, but all the wood was sold. She was allowed to make a mold, and from that a plaster casting. I worked from the casting and her drawing with a few minor changes. The wood is butternut approximately 9 3/4" x 9 3/4" and 7/8" thick. Sealed with several light coats Deft lacquer and a coat of Howard's Feed 'N' Wax.

Clay Sculpting Class

Just finished a two and a half day clay sculpting class with instructor Mark Sampsel. He's a great instructor and sculptor. We started by building bone structure, then muscle, flesh and finally hair. I didn't complete it, but will finish at home. I learned a lot from this class and believe it will make me a better carver / sculptor. I encourage fellow carvers if you get a chance you should take a class.

Native American Bust Part 5

Finally got some time to carve, I've been busy working in the garden and yard. So I get back to my new Native American. In the these photos I finish up the eyes. I use a small veiner and gouge to outline the iris and a small glint of light in the eye. I then carve up to the stop cuts lowering the iris. Then using a wood burner I darken that area. I really like the dramatic look this creates. I also burned the bear claws. Still have some clean up to do and then decide on a finish.

Carving an Eye

At this point in the carving I have shaped the eye mound. I use a #11 3mm to carve a deep hole between the nose and eye, this is the deepest point on the face. Carve a hole on the outer side of each eye and round the mound. I draw in a narrow eye, most eyes are carved too large making the carving look bug eyed or surprised. Try to match both eyes, if needed use a set of calipers. I use veiners to lay out the eyes, if you start with a knife you can not adjust the eyes to match without carving deeper than the stop cuts the knife made.

I use a #11 1mm to carve the eye.

Carve the eye in with a knife.

Match up the other eye.

Carve up to stop cut.

Same on the bottom of eye.

Make two stab cuts in the corner.

A third stab cut to pop out chip. 

The result.

Same cut on corners of eye.

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Use the #11 3mm to lay in the lower eyelid.

Carve area for upper eyelid.

Use a #3 upside down for brow.

Draw in the bag below the eye.

Add character lines.

I used a v-tool to deepen eyelid cuts.