Woodcarving Illustrated - How To Magazine for Carvers: The Cat's Meow

The Cat's Meow
================================================================================
David-Sabol on 02/07/2010 16:35:00
 
Photography by Roger Schroeder
Refrigerator magnets are popular  craft items, particularly those that are
carved. I enjoy  felines, especially when they’re up to some mischief. Going 
after a goldfish fits the bill.
A piece of 3/4"-thick white pine  that is freshly  cut is my choice for this
beginner’s relief project because  white pine carves easily when wet. My tools
also make cleaner  cuts because the wood’s pores are saturated with water. But
 basswood, dry or unseasoned, is a good substitute.  Flat magnets can be
purchased at craft and hobby stores. I embed  three round ones into the back of
the carving with enough of the  magnets exposed to catch a metal surface.
Although I paint my cat with grays  and whites, a lot of other colors work just
as well. The fish,  which is really burned—not carved—into the bowl, is a 
combination of gold, yellow and white, and the water is blue.  While I use oil
paints mixed with Minwax Natural Stain, acrylics  thinned with water are a good
alternative.
SPECIAL SOURCES
Throughout the project, David used Flexcut  tools. If you are interested in
purchasing the tools, contact Flexcut  Tool Company, Inc. at
814-864-7855/www.flexcut.com,  for dealers that carry them.
MORE PATTERNS
Wanda offers a black bear pattern with carving and painting instructions  in
Wood Carving Illustrated's Issue no. 23, Summer 2003.
MATERIALS & TOOLS:
Wood:
White pine or basswood that measures 3/4" thick by at least 31/4" wide  by 4"
long
Finishing Materials:
Acrylic paints and water or oil paints and Minwax Natural Stain
No. 1 and 3 round brushes
Accessories:
3 small flat magnets
Tools:
Bandsaw or scroll saw
Roughout knife
Detail knife
Woodburner
The following Flexcut tools:
No. 3 7/8" palm gouge
No. 8 3/8" palm gouge
No. 11 1/8" palm gouge
No. 11 1/4" palm gouge
3/8" 70-degree palm V tool