[Mottles]

Hey, get that girl some sharp tools and some basswood (linden) and there will be not stopping her. Yes, work is needed but you have the right idea. It's best to take small shallow cuts, than deep gouging cuts. Pine is a nice wood, but I would think it would respond better to power carving.
So, for your next carving try some basswood it responds really well to knives and gouges. Less grain to worry about.
So stay encouraged and keep practing that is how you will learn.
Kathy

[Toffeeliz]

@wacky1 - i hope thats the case! I've seen some fabulous examples here and I just hope I'll get that good!

@Mottles - I'm trying to get my hands on some basswood (is it also called limewood?)! I don't know where I can get some near to where I live though. I'm going to ask the woodworking teacher first as I overhead him talking about buying wood with a coworker.
What I find interesting is that your chisels from what I can see on your WIP section on your website are from my part of England. A pretty common fact as Sheffield at one point produced most of the world's steel. My Grandad has just bought us a set of Henry taylor's (they are on time-share lol) and they are fantabulous!

[A Willburger]

Good attempt. Your art school training is showing with your face sharp tools and better choice of wood you'll do fine. Glad to see a young carver. I remember carving with my dad at your age. just keep carving.
Ash said everything else that I would have said.

Andy

[arapsang]

Hi there and congratulations on your 1st carving. You can get limewood at John Boddy's Boroughbridge (Good but expensive) or Craft Supplies Derbyshire. Jelutong is often used here as a good replacement for limewood and is readily available at timber stores. How close are you to Yorkshire? I have a couple of limewood logs and if your heart is set on having some I'll gladly cut you a chunk to start you off.

All the best

Peter Connor

[Toffeeliz]

Originally Posted by arapsang

Hi there and congratulations on your 1st carving. You can get limewood at John Boddy's Boroughbridge (Good but expensive) or Craft Supplies Derbyshire. Jelutong is often used here as a good replacement for limewood and is readily available at timber stores. How close are you to Yorkshire? I have a couple of limewood logs and if your heart is set on having some I'll gladly cut you a chunk to start you off.

All the best

Peter Connor

I live in Rotherham, S.Yorks i'm all for a free chunk if possible! I'm just getting started, but I like trying out and experimenting with all sorts of stuff. I was just talking with someone today and he said that he goes up to Hull or N. Yorks, and he lives in Leeds. I ca't go up there, not worth it in petrol.
I found some Sheffield based places on the net last night so I'll chase up those! tah muchly

Originally Posted by A Willburger

Good attempt. Your art school training is showing with your face sharp tools and better choice of wood you'll do fine. Glad to see a young carver. I remember carving with my dad at your age. just keep carving.
Ash said everything else that I would have said.

Andy

well, my dad isn't so good at this, but my grandad is fab and he's been beside me ever since i told him i wanted to do carving (after i did this head). He said he'd been meaning to get some carving chisels but never did until now, and he seems really excited. Once the head he's carving now is done, I'll see if I can get him to post it - and your Indian piece rocks by the way, I've been looking at that thread for inspiration

[Ed Redwine]

Toffeeliz: You have found a great website for carving. The people here are very helpful and will go to great lengths to help in anyway possible. The best suggestion you've seen so far is to use sharp tools. To carve with sharp tools is a wonderful pleasure, to use dull tools is agony. You might want to switch to Linden wood for your second piece. Much easier to carve than pine and you'll be happy with the results. Welcome to the forum!
Ed

[Clifford_Parker]

I must say that that is a great "first face". With sharp tools and a little practice and studying you will be well on your way.

[Toffeeliz]

Originally Posted by Clifford_Parker

I must say that that is a great "first face". With sharp tools and a little practice and studying you will be well on your way.

thanks my grandad managed to get some cedar for me to use today (basswood/limewood - wherefore art thou? btw - incorrect use of wherefore bu its just gotten slapped about so much lol). can't wait til i get to use it!

[sharon cottrell]

Keep at it!You're doing great.

[Mottles]

Originally Posted by Toffeeliz

@wacky1 - i hope thats the case! I've seen some fabulous examples here and I just hope I'll get that good!

@Mottles - I'm trying to get my hands on some basswood (is it also called limewood?)! I don't know where I can get some near to where I live though. I'm going to ask the woodworking teacher first as I overhead him talking about buying wood with a coworker.
What I find interesting is that your chisels from what I can see on your WIP section on your website are from my part of England. A pretty common fact as Sheffield at one point produced most of the world's steel. My Grandad has just bought us a set of Henry taylor's (they are on time-share lol) and they are fantabulous!

Hello, yes limewood I believe is another name for this species of wood. The woodworking teacher should be able to put you in such with some basswood/linden/limewood.
Yes, most of my mallet tools are Henry Taylor Acorn, I really like them--they hold an edge really well.
I hope you find some basswood I think you will really enjoy working with it. From time to time I buy a carving magazine called 'Carving' that comes out of England. Have you seen it?
Well , gotta run keep up with your carving and if I can be of any help please ask.
Kathy