Thread: Carvings 4, 5, and 6.

Hi Rob,

I dont knock crapiata. Its great for practise and the price is right. It can always be stained and painted. As long as you keep your tool sharp it carves OK. Just between you and me the quality seems more consistent than some exotics like Jelutong where you can end up with voids and sap pockets in the middle of the timber. Pacific Maple is also OK although it isnt great for detail it is softer.

I struggle with faces as well. There are lots of carving faces and facial features tutorials on the net, particularly on You Tube. Use words like Wood Spirit, eyes, nose mouth etc and you will get lots of information to help you progress. Did you get stalled on the horse?

I really admire your perseverance. With drive like that you will eventually get to the level of skill you want. I'm not much of a relief carver but so I can't help much with the first one.

I think if you study your subjects a bit more closely for sillouette shape in at least two views you'll get closer to what you are trying for. The horse in particular is a good example. Its not bad from a front-on perspective. You even got the wood seam more or less down the centre mass. (Unfortunately not so the base, but that's not as critical). However the side view wanders from true life a bit. Did you use photos of equal proportion on the front and side views for your original pattern? Do you stop and measure distance and size of key features of the carving as you go to ensure you haven't strayed too far from reality? This is where working off photos at a 1:1 scale is invaluable. If say.. the nostril ring is 'x' mm from the protrudent vein further up the muzzle in the photo then it should also be that far on the carving. There are literally dozens of these kind of measurements that you can use to keep you on track.

Hope it helps...

You have been busy!
The mask: don't ever be concerned by reality = it is a mask. You can go away from literal human features next time.
JJF's Falconer: How he did it, I don't know, but he's got a carving style right out of the 1600's. You just about brought it off. There's a great deal to be learned by trying to copy another artist's work. I have no problem with that.
Horse head: to be literal, you must be precisely correct. Horse head lovers will always critique. Go away = what do horses look like to you?
Bottom line = you are an order of magnitude better than when you began, Do not stop.

Thanks guys for the great comments and advice.
Sebastiaan, I get pine off cuts from the new houses nearby when they put the roofs on and your right, it's ok to practice with but I sometimes feel all the time spent carving it I should be using better carving timber. I didn't get "stalled' on the horse but I have now been sent to the paddock for a spell..
Whittling, I did use an equal front and side pattern but it just boils down to skill level, I kept switching from side to side trying to even them up but it was getting worse. I think now the face looks a tad short and fat but it was a good experience and I know I could do better next time.
RV, The mask was really fun to carve purely for the fact you don't need to stick exactly to a plan, I will definitely do more. The others will get better with experience.

Hello Robthechisel
I am very pleased to see this medieval falconer, thank you for following my work. We must continue
JJF

French :
Bonjour Robthechisel
Je suis très heureux de voir ce fauconnier médiéval, merci d'avoir suivi mon travail. Il faut continuer.
JJF

Thanks JJF, I really like your work and the fact you posted a detailed work in progress was an extremely good lesson for a beginner like me to work from.

With big pleasure

You're definitely getting better, the falconer is Vgood and as Robson says copying is a great way to learn. Thats how all the old masters did it . Front veiw of the horse head is pretty good but the sides are way too short for its depth and as you suspected have made it look fat. Keep it up

Thanks Iggy, I'm confident next time I attempt a horse I'll do a better job, fairly pleased with the Falconer except for his face.