After looking at all the Santa's for the past year, I took a stab at my first one, (a Ron Ransom.) He has on boots, so his coat doesn't come all the way down. Now for the silly question. What color do you paint the bottom of the carving? Not the bottom of his boots, it's the flat part above the boots at the bottom of his coat, parallel to the base. It's not his coat, and I didn't put pants, or boxers , on him, and its not the bottom of the base.

Thanks for all the help this past year. Ken

Ken,
I would probably paint it white to simulate white underwear if you painted it flesh tone you may have all the ladies looking under the coat. : : : Seriously though I am not a Santa carver I like you just did my first one but I would think a contrasting colour like white would be my choice. I am sure there are some Santa carvers here that will give you better advice though, that is just my opinion for what it is worth.
Colin

Ken- I would use a dark color to simulate a shadow. Dark gray or real dark burnt umber - black would be too much I think. Hope this helps-
Barry

[santagibbs]

I agree with the last suggestion, sometimes a darker color that is connected to the piece above it, is best colored, darker. It does duplicate a shadow. I use an antiquing stain of a dark brown or black or you can use a darker color of the coat above it.

See Ken I told you, what do I know? I am sure glad you didnt listen to me. You know something I just learned something, I knew those Santa carvers would help you out. They are the ones to listen to if you have any doubt just take a look at their pictures on Picturetrail
Colin

[Callynne]

Ken, I take whatever the fur trim color is on my Santa down around a little bit, paint the rest into his legs or boots with whatever color his coat is, then antique over the whole works. That works pretty well for me. Be sure to share a picture with us! Callynne

[santagibbs]

Well, hey Colin, I am just GUESSING, You know a whole lot and we know it!

Re; Santa. I leave the section you are talking about natural and then when it is antiqued it comes up very nice. _ (Just another way of doing it.) Big Al

Thanks for all the good advice. It will definately make him look finished if anyone 'sneaks a peek' under his coat.

Thanks again. Ken in So Cal