Trying Something New

[monkeybiter]

A long while ago I bought a set of carving chisels from Dodge, his hard sell was something along the lines of 'they're cheap 'cos they're rubbish'. I knew that I wanted to have a go at carving at some point, so rather than spend a lot on what might not work out, I had a punt then put them on the shelf.

Finally I got round to having a go, the first is a 'green man' for my mum. It's made from an oak turning blank, doused with danish oil.
During the carving I had it clamped ton a board with pointy offcuts screwed in place, but every time I wanted to turn the piece to follow the grain etc. I had to unscrew and re-clamp.
For the second, which will hopefully be a sort of sun/flower/face I made the turntable shown, so that it remains clamped and just spins on a pivot.
The second piece, which is not yet finished, is also oak, and I'm starting to think it might not have been the easiest choice to learn with.

All criticism welcome, broad shoulders and all that.

The turntable

 

[xy mosian]

For a carving 'newby' they both look pretty good to me! Keep going you seem to have a feel for carving. =D> =D>

xy

 

[xraymtb]

I would be very happy if I produced that first time out. Always had carving as an idea in the back of my mind but never made the jump.

 

[owenmcc]

Particularly like the green man, left side of the nose catching the light beautifully. Hope it finds pride of place with your Mum.

 

[Lons]

You should give yourself a very big pat on the back for those efforts. Especially in oak which is a nice wood to carve but can be tricky. You must have managed to get a keen edge on your chisels.
Nice solution to the workholding as well.

Only suggestion I would make is if you want to add a bit of "life" into your carvings, try carving pupils into the eyeballs, makes a big difference. Not necessary in yours so far as those subjects are often carved without. Example of what I mean below.

Also if you can find a bit of lime or boxwood to try, you'll be hooked for life. It's a different experience.

Cheers
Bob

 

[monkeybiter]

Wow, thanks chaps, very encouraging and generous replies.
The second piece isn't finished yet, and I had intended detailing the eyes [but then I would say that wouldn't I ?], I keep thinking I'm nearly there but I can't seem to get the mouth quite right.
Blimey Bob is that one of yours? It looks fabulous! Nice fine grain too, what wood is that and what's the scale?

 

[Lons]

Wow, thanks chaps, very encouraging and generous replies.
The second piece isn't finished yet, and I had intended detailing the eyes [but then I would say that wouldn't I ?], I keep thinking I'm nearly there but I can't seem to get the mouth quite right.
Blimey Bob is that one of yours? It looks fabulous! Nice fine grain too, what wood is that and what's the scale?

No it's not mine.
A good mate died recently and this was one of his but it had lost a finger from each hand whilst on display so as it is of great importance to his family I took it to repair and mount on a suitable base. Just needed 2 fingers carved, as below.
He was a much better carver than me and I was lucky enough to inherit his substantial stock of timber.

I have done some though don't have many pics but have one on the vice at the minute so will take a snap and post.

Right hand was the forefinger and got a great match luckily. Left hand had to have the join disguised by an aluminium ring.
Marble for the base was there but didn't look right so needed to find a bit of burr.

 

[Lons]

Here's what's on the vice at the minute though it's been there a long time. I just dig it out now and then, make a few cuts, contemplate a little and put it away. #-o

It was inspired by a colourful character I saw in South Africa a number of years ago and then researched on the net. I've lost all the pics so need to do the research again before attacking the carving in anger. Might finish it one day :lol:

It's a nice lump of walnut btw.

 

[Lons]

Nice fine grain too, what wood is that and what's the scale?

Forgot to answer: #-o

Wood is lime. That's why I suggested you get some to try. Takes a clean crisp cut in any direction, boxwood is even nicer.
Carving stands about 450mm high excluding the base.

Bob

 

[nev]

=D> It never ceases to amaze me what people can create using basic hand tools, kudos to all =D>

 

[monkeybiter]

Seeing that figure in it's entirety is even more impressive, he certainly had a great skill. Your repairs are very good too, I really like the ingenious way of hiding the join on the left hand, and of course the fact that it's that finger adds a little intrigue to the whole piece.

Wood is lime. That's why I suggested you get some to try. Takes a clean crisp cut in any direction, boxwood is even nicer.
Bob

Oh well , looks like I'll have to shell out for some carving blanks, I've already got shelves of turning blanks that need using up :roll:

I actually prefer your bust [ooerr missus] to the very impressive Callipso, I think it focusses the attention more and must be very demanding in attention to detail [expressions etc.]

I'm impressed by a lot of the work of Livio De Marchi and a lot of his work is walnut, how do you find it for carving?

 

[Lons]

Walnut carves beautifully Mike. Need sharp chisels as always but cuts cleanly and takes a nice finish. I haven't bought any for years but a decent block is pretty expensive nowadays, but then what isn't?
I can't take all the credit for the carving though as I had a lot of help in the early days to rough it all out which is the most important bit. I'm a pretty medeocre carver really but I keep trying. (hammer). Wife says I'm very trying :?

If you want to see some very fine detail figures look up Ian Norbury

Bob

 

[whiskywill]

If you want to see some very fine detail figures look up Ian Norbury

And Grinling Gibbons.

 

[monkeybiter]

Some very nice work from Ian Norbury, although SWMBO scowled when I suggested some modelling 8)

He has a lot of interesting vids on youtube, watching one in particular I was struck by the almost 'cheese-like' quality of the lime wood, so I've got to get some. Plenty about but it can be dear when you factor in postage. Or maybe I'm just a cheapskate.

Looking at lime lead me somehow to Grinling Gibbons and his mythical pea pods. I love the deep relief panels.

Need some finer gouges now :roll:

 

[Lons]

I was struck by the almost 'cheese-like' quality of the lime wood, so I've got to get some. Plenty about but it can be dear when you factor in postage. Or maybe I'm just a cheapskate.
need some finer gouges now :roll:

If you fancy a run out, John Boddy just off the A1 at Boroughbridge used to carry a decent stock. Might be worth cotacting them to check first but could make a nice day out. Boroughbridge is nice and Harrogate not too far away.

Bob

PS
If I can get my act together, I'll have a number of chisels to sell soon as I can sort them. Many are very old Addis etc but also have a nice little set of 6 palm chisels which are Acorn brand by Henry Taylor.
Lovely little tools for fine work and the only reason I'll be selling them is because I've just bought my mates set of 12 pfeil palm tools from his widow.

 

[monkeybiter]

I might just take a trip tomorrow, 49 mins according to google. The oak 'sun' is nearly done now but it's slow going.

Any chance of first refusal on those chisels when you get to selling them? I always seem to miss the best ads, except the 'collection only from Devon' ones [e.g. cheap AWO today]

 

[monkeybiter]

Didn't get to Boddy's, did get the sun finished though. Slapped some danish on, smoothed a few digs etc, slapped on some more and called it finished.

Just need to let it fully dry then stick a hanging loop on the back and it's ready for little sis' garden in sunny Jersey. 8)

 

[Lons]

Didn't get to Boddy's, did get the sun finished though. Slapped some danish on, smoothed a few digs etc, slapped on some more and called it finished.



Just need to let it fully dry then stick a hanging loop on the back and it's ready for little sis' garden in sunny Jersey. 8)

You have to be pleased with that, looks very nice indeed.
I got some sun yesterday, 18 holes on the Priestman golf course at Slaley Hall so I was cream crackered last night :lol:

Chisels: When I get aroundtuit I'll pm you the details and a couple of photos to see if of any interest.
cheers

Bob

 

[monkeybiter]

Thanks Bob, a kind word and a bit of encouragement goes a long way.

While I'm not as happy with the second piece as with the first, I know my 'technique' had improved with the practise. What I did do wrong was, once again, failed to plan what I was going to do and just made it up as I went along, whereas the green man was only started after drawing the design on paper, so I could refer to it while working. Maybe one day I'll learn that lesson (homer)

Gonna buy some lime mail order and have a go at something fit for indoors :lol: Look forward to seeing your chisels, thanks, all my 'fine' detail is done with a vintage sharpened 1/8" screwdriver at the moment :roll: