Book - Mike Shipleys Country Folks

[Simplyme]

I bought Mike Shipleys book Country Folks. I tried to carve Delmer per the book step by step instructions and after three attempts I have given up. At first I had problems with the first few steps on the head, it seemed to be missing steps. Second attempt I decided to wing the head part in the book and just follow the finish pics. Not bad. Then I get to the arms and it seemed again to skip a few steps and the picture did not actually show what he was doing. More firewood. I guess this book is not for begginers. Third piece I just winged it all and just follow the pics. Decided to carve Delmer arms attached. So far so good. The book does have some nice patterns that I will be trying. Maybe I got spoiled with Gene's video that really shows you step by step.

The book was worth it for the patterns anyway. And I truly love Mr. Shipleys carvings. I guess I need to put some time under my belt before trying Delmer with arms not attached again

[Iowa Carver]

I like Shipley's stuff as well and as simple as they look these are not easy. These are the toughest of Mikes stuff in my opinion. I have a couple blanks cut to try a couple again but like you I had problems with them.
I like DVD's and watching the carver do a project. I think you learn more that way. Gene's are great, Tom Wolfes are great, the Harvey Refsal DVD is good, wish there were more out there! I guess Mike is due for a DVD huh!

Corey

[Simplyme]

He does make it look simple. I guess I bit more then I can chew. I did a dragon last weekend and I figured I take a break and do Delmer.....Guess not. That shows you how good a carver Mike is.

[chuckbolton]

interesting-- i took class with mike last weekend-- he used to be a production carver and he tells me he can carve anything he does in an hour or less. his carved pieces are very reasonable. i was able to do one of his in 2 hours the first time out- not a criticism-- just an observation-- iwll have to go and check out delmar later. heck of a nice guy-- if u have the chance - take a class

[Dan S]

Hey there,
I had a similar problem with another pattern I found in a book. The carving looked simple on the surface but mine looked nothing like his. I don't know if it just inexperience or trying to copy a style I don't use. I'm going to try it again after I get a few more difficult carvings under my belt. Perhaps it will be better next time.

Dan

[cseymour]

Hi SimplyMe,
I would always suffer from "Paralysis by Analysis", I spent more time looking at the pictures and trying to figure out how to make a carving look just like Mike Shipley's or whoever that I would not actually carve.

I finally realized I am not as accomplished a carver as them right now, but the more you carve and practice the better things look and you do begin to see how things are done and more importantly how you can do the same.

I have to keep reminding myself, this is a hobby, enjoy it.

Just my $.02

Cheers.

Chris

[chuckbolton]

i asked mike who he started carving with-- he told me in about 76 he bought one of harold enlows books and a knife-- started that way-- he lives in the ozarks some 100 miles from branson and never took a class. he developed his own style-- its similar to flat plane ( doesnt round most surfaces. he become a production carver and knew his market wasnt a high dollar market so developed figures he could do in an hour- in order to keep the selling price down. i didnt ask but im sure he started carving and doing production work in order to supplement his income in an economically depressed area of missouri.
the thing i found-- was he didnt round over beards, hair etc as im used to doing- im sure i could get to where i too could do his patterns in an hour or close to it. he carries only 10 tools and 4 of them are knives. he uses several sizes of v- tools-- and several #3 gouges and a 4 mm #11 gouge. uses a v tool to set the nose-- very different than im used to doing- tho not sure his way is better than mine-- just different. on the other hand-- if u want a duplicate of figures from his book. buy an original-- it wont be to expensive.