Large 3ft Santa finally finished

[Colin-Partridge]

Hi Gang,
Well believe it or not I have finally finished painting the big guy. Wow I have never spent so long on a carving in my whole life. This is by far the most time consuming thing I have ever done. The quilt he is wearing was a pattern that my wife had. What I did was burn on the pattern first and then put on the nine colors one at a time alternating them on every patch. I would guess that it took me 25 hours to paint him once. Now I look at him I think he needs another coat anyway. I havent put a finish on him as yet I still havent decided it I want to do all that painting again.
Of course comments and critisism is always welcome especially from all the santa carvers out there it is you that I learn from. Although I carve woodspirits all the time Santa's are my passion.
Colin

[Tom-H]

Colin, I would not worry about another coat of paint. I don't think it needs it. Plus, depending on what type and technique of the final finish you choose - the colors will "pop" right out. I personally do not like too much or too vivid of colors in a carving. Now that said, the quilted pattern and the colors you choose have taken the existing 3 foot (large) carving and moved it UP (WAY UP)on the "Cool carving" scale. And there again, anyone familar with your style will recognize the carving as yours. Tom H

[Ashbys]

Colin ,

You know I love your wood spirits .. but you have outdone yourself . That is GREAT!

So what size chain you using to hold it down ...... I want to bring the right size bolt cutters ... wonder what customs will say .....

Simply AWESOME !

[Goody]

Colin,
I got another pattern for a quilter Santa if would like him. I'd do the next one about 5 foot tall. A wedding ring or maybe a lonestar paint pattern with a log cabin border around it would be nice or maybe a prairie point border. LOL.

Good Job, both in the carving and the paint. Sorry I caused you so much work, but you did ask for it! Glad to see the little roughout inspire a project like this.

You will have your revenge this weekend. Anna bought me half a dozen pumpkins to be carved by halloween.
Goody & Anna

[Claude]

Great looking Santa, Colin! You did an outstanding job on the painting!
Claude

[Kenny_S]

Well Colin, Me thinks that it was time well spent.
OUTSTANDING piece my friend. Love it.

[Claude]

Colin:
I have to ask. Where do you get the large pieces of wood? I live in Virginia near Washington, DC, and there are lots of forests around here, but I don't know of anyone selling pine logs. Do you cut and season your own, or ??? At my age, I'm not sure I have time to season a good sized log at 1 year per inch of thickness....Talking

Claude

[MelNM]

Nice carving Colin, my wife likes the colors you have chosen. You can see a lot of your carving style from your wood spirits in it.
Mel

[chipper67]

Colin,

Very good job. I really like the paint job. So, is this Santa spoken for already?

Chipper67

[Mottles]

Colin, the 'big guy' carving, painting was time well spent. The next time you pick up your brush do it to put the protective finish on. IT'S DONE!!!!!! Excellent Work.
Kathy