How to continue/finish my bear?

[ZS Tom]

This is only my second post so: hello!

I have been carving a bear over the last week (pics attached) and I'm slightly stuck as to what to do with him next. I think maybe he could use some fur texture, but this is my first ever 3D type carving and I'm afraid of ruining it (I'm hoping to gift it to my girlfriend for Christmas, if he turns out well).

I'm still very new to carving and have never carved fur. I know my bear isn't brilliant but to be honest I'm just extremely pleased (and surprised) that he turned out looking even remotely bear-like. So I'm nervous about attempting much more for chance of spoiling it. What do you think?

Also, I'm not sure how to go about doing his eyes? Would little dimples work, and maybe I could buy a pyrography kit to colour them (and possibly his nose)?

Any advice much appreciated.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

The way I finished my bear was to first use a V tool to make what looked like hair, I started from the top of the body all the way down. (not straight but kinda wavey) Then I wood burned the grooves that I made with the V tool. After that I painted the whole bear with black paint, then dry brushed some areas with brown. I will let others help with the eyes. Hope this helps!

Dave

BTW- Your bear looks excellent so far, well done!

[mojavezig]

Tom.....nice work well done...I like the smooth flowing lines and wouldn't do any more to it except stain or a clear finish. I tend to overwork things with details myself...Sometimes it's hard to stop...You might add eye details and texture the head some,but I think your smooth flowing lines are powerful and would be diminished by adding texture lines or detailing.....Just me good luck....Zig

[AlArchie]

I agree with Zig, that looks great just as it is. There is "stylized" carving and that looks like what you have done so far. Just enough to give a graceful image without going into detail at all. The suggestion of motion and power are there as are all the physical elements of the bear. Nicely done!!!

Al

[Eddy-Smiles]

Tom... Your at the point now where you need to make a decision as to what kind of bear you're carving! Realistic? Stylized? Carricature? From that point you decide whether you add details such as eyes, claws and fur.

[Claude]

I agree with Eddy. If you decide to do stylized, all you need to do is sand smooth all over; no additional detail is needed (including eyes). If you decide on realistic, then Google bears and see how the fur lays on the bear, sketch in fur lines (not all of them, just enough to guide you v tool), then use the fine V tool to make light and relatively short grooves for fur. Make them random length, random start points - doesn't have to be parallel, and is better if not (some grooves can run into others, etc.) Another option is to use a small veiner instead of a v tool (#11 gouge, maybe 2mm across or less) This will give you round-bottom grooves which can look more realistic...

Claude

[Mark Dellinger]

Tom,
I personally have not textured a bear that looked good. I like the way your bear looks now. I would probably finish and call it done.

Safe Carving and God Bless,

Mark

[ZS Tom]

Thanks everyone! With the handful of carvings I've done so far I've found it quite difficult to know when to stop and call it finished, so I'll go with the consensus here and just sand him down nice and smooth.

I have some Danish Oil with some stain/dye in it (I think it's 'Medium Oak') that I might use on it, although I'll have to perhaps do a test first to see how it colours the wood. I used to use it to finish off arrows (an old hobby) made with cedar, and I seem to remember it was quite nice.

[Kate]

I agree that your carving looks great just as it is, the form is beautiful. I wish I had the knack for carving three dimensional objects, but sadly, I do not.

I recently did a little mouse that needed "fur" to bring him to life and while brainstorming I came up with the idea of using the scrimshaw techniques I learned while in Alaska. It worked beautifully.
It's very fine cuts with stain worked into them to enhance them.
This is the "study" carving I did to test the process.


So, if you ever get out there and want to try a very fine fur texture, this is something you might consider.

[scooter]

If you must give it texture (the stylized look is fine in your case IMO), I'd go with a small, steep gouge; a 3mm #9 or the like.

S~