Something for when the workshop is too cold?

[xy mosian]

I have been attempting to carve, on and off, for some time now. But I get stuck, and disheartened when things go wrong. However following advice to look at "Woodcarving Illustrated" in a recent thread,https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=37607. I felt like having another go at it.

This is the result,



Mainly done with a small selection of knives the results are the best I've had. What is more I managed to get around a couple of errors and make a few decisions. Trouble is now it is to be painted, that's another trial.

I think I have found some woodwork to do in the house when the workshop is too cold. Cleaning up is just a vacuum.

xy

 

[Jamesc]

Nice work, but why paint him. I think he looks great as he is.

James

 

[tulsk]

Xy,Snap I've downloaded that self and same pattern to copy for a commission! Before you paint it take a look at Dave Brock's Blog entitled "woodtrails".Scroll down the posts and you'll find a tutorial showing how he finishes his "woodspirit" carvings. I found this very helpful with loads of good tips for success.
Nice bit of work, by the way-Cheers John

 

[MikeG.]

Why does this remind me of Tom?

 

[woodbloke]

Why does this remind me of Tom?

It's the beard - Rob

 

[xy mosian]

Thanks All! You give me the boost to try another.

James, you're right of course and I do like the un-finished look, but it was always my intention to use paint, so i'd like to have a go. Later pictures may show the error of my ways.

tulsk - John Thanks, but you have really given me a future problem. Another great site to study. Swimbo will not be happy especially if I dissapear when the out laws come a calling. BTW any chance of seeing your own when finished?


xy

 

[hog&bodge]

Absolute great looking gnome..a& looks good not painted..
I would give it garden space...

 

[wizer]

Are you saying I look like a gnome Mike? I'm offended.

Unless you were reffering to this line

I have been attempting to carve, on and off, for some time now. But I get stuck, and disheartened when things go wrong.

Then I agree, that's just like me.

 

[wizer]

hehe I get it now. It's the dunce cap :lol:

 

[tulsk]

Will do Xy, but it will be in the new year now and probably not as good as your excellent effort. Here's my first effort at one of Dave's woodspirits that I did for the lady who hosts children for forestry awareness days. Not much cop but with limited tools and rushed.

Santa's bringing me the Flex-cut Jack carving knife that Dave uses which looks ideal for me as I enjoy carving out in the field.
Regards John

 

[wizer]

Actually, before the op I was looking for something similar to do inside the house while recovering. I chose chip carving, after seeing the work of Kari Hultman on The Village Carpenter blog. It turned out to be the most unsuitable thing :lol: It requires you to sit in a chair with the work in your lap and kind of lean over it. Not the best idea for me. The outlay wasn't much tho. I'm sure the knives will come in handy. Might sell the book tho.

 

[xy mosian]

hog&bodge, thanks for the comments. Have a go at carving/whittling it's fun. This little fellow might get lost in your garden, he's only 150mm in his 'dunces' cap.

John, that woodspirit looks fine to me. Especially starting form a raw stick, I started from a square block, I understand those. I have looked, briefly, at the Flex-cut Jack, but thought it a little expensive without trial. I may well change my mind when I read your report of its use?

wizer, I have tried chip carving and I agree with you about the working pose. I got quite a bit of discomfort around the shoulders. Somehow, this time I escaped it. BTW how is the back? Any improvement yet?

xy

 

[wizer]

Too early to say, but signs not good, sadly.

I guess with chip carving, you could use one of those chairs that you kneel into. That would roll you back into a position that would technically protect your back/shoulders. Will try it one day.

 

[xy mosian]

Sorry to hear about the continued pain.
Interesting about the kneeling chairs. I knocked one up from scrap chipboard once over, didn't use it much and left it in the workshop. One day I arrived with a terrible headache, sat/knelt on the stool, with a pot of tea, and within two or three minutes the headache went. I felt tremendous. Was it the tea or the stool, who knows but worth a few minutes to knock something up.

xy

 

[xy mosian]

John, Another wonderful link that you pointed me at, http://woodtrails.blogspot.com/search?q ... woodspirit. Paint finishing a carving. I bet that antique finishing is nerve racking. Thanks again.

xy

 

[pren]

That's really good!

Something I've been meaning to have a go at is a set of Lewis Chessmen.

 

[xy mosian]

Bryn, Thanks. Lewis Chessmen? Go for it. I had a go at a Knight about two years ago, 200mm hoof to helm. It seemed to take forever, in reality about three weeks almost constantly. I ain't terribly happy with it, curse of the aspiring craftsman I suppose. That was done with gouges etc. standing at a high bench. This gnome was done with knives sitting down and with much more freedom. I think the latter is what has got me exited about it. Suddenly I didn't follow the pattern too closely, just the general feel of the thing. That probably sounds daft. Doing the Knight I felt as if I was struggling to make the wood look like the drawing, whereas I think the Gnome looks like the Gnome that the drawing was of. Getting a bit deep here. Sorry.

xy

edit - found a picture


xy

 

[MikeG.]

hehe I get it now. It's the dunce cap :lol:

That penny took almost 2 hours to drop!