Attempts in 2.5 months as a beginner

[Ezzylearner]

My first introduction to wood carving/whittling was watching Gene Messer (did not know his name then - all I saw/see were/are his hands and what he was/is doing) whittling the 5-minute wizard on Youtube, that got me fired up. Got a piece of balsa wood (no basswood in Malaysia) and my one and only tool - a utility knife - and my first attempt at carving/whittling began. Gene's voice is calm and reassuring and since then I've spent hours watching his videos (whittler0507) - I guess he's the "sifu" ("master teacher" in Chinese) who has started me in this new hobby. Second attempt was a Wood Spirit, then from the 5-minute Wizard to a tear drop Santa (by this time got a small V-gouge and an X-Acto #11 knife). My latest is a 2nd attempt carving a Wood Spirit. Would invite your comments so I can learn more.

I am attempting to attach a thumbnail of my 4 carvings (failed in my earlier attempt).

[SlowMover]

Looks good for first carvings. There are a lot of carved pieces and furniture that come out of your part of the world, there must be a lot of carvers around you. You have access to a lot of woods that we don't in the US, so in that respect you are very lucky. I suggest watching lots of video tutorials and getting a few books

[Dougie]

You are off to a good start.
Basla is a poor wood for carving. The one on the far right looks like the closest to basswood.
Keep up the good work.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Looks good, you are off to a great start!

Dave

[Ezzylearner]

Thanks, guys, for your encouragement. I am using balsa (expensive), jelutong (easily available here and very affordable), and pine wood (scrounged from discarded imported furniture). The one on the far right of my thumbnail originally posted is from a flowering shrub that dried up (from termite attack?) some 18 months ago. There are many varieties of hardwood (and I mean "hard") over here in the tropics but I don't know how to use chisels, even if I have them, in carving. There are commercial wood carvers here but they are family members and they keep it that way. Sweet carvings to all of you.

[gene-messer]

Hello .. Well I will be .. someone in Malaysia .. who would have figured ..
Ezzylearner .. you are doing fine with your pieces and Iam so glad you are enjoying the carving ..
May I make a suggestion .. Jelutong is a good carving wood and if available .. use it .. it will meet your needs and is a good beginners wood .. Out of all of them .. Jelutong is the best to carve with

Keep up the good work and let me know how your doing

God Bless
Gene

[Midnight Carver]

Those are nice looking first carvings. I hope you will continue to share them with us.

Eric

[FARMALL RON]

Good job keep up the good work...........RON

[chipmunk]

welcome, there nice give u a couple yrs. a/ u be a pro!

[SeaLeveler]

Looking great there,my 2 months carving isn't viewable,I think they ended up in the fire.Too bad you can't send some jelutong to the US,a quick internet search showed $9 a board foot.
Tony