How to Detail a Mule's Mane

[johnwilldo]

Help,

I am stuck on a project from "How to Carve in the Ozark Style" by Mr Ludlow.

It is the Missouri Mule. I have it just about finished, but don't know how to detail the mane. Right now it just looks like a Mohawk!

I am on the road relocating from Mesa AZ back to Eastern Pa and may not get to read any replys for a while. I am in the Black Hills of South Dakota and just visited the Woodcarvers Museum outside of Custer. It was well done and well worth the drive from Hill City. It was the first time I have ever seen carvings animated, pretty cool! Dr. Niblick must have been a man on a mission. So many carvings and such a wonderful sense of detail and humor.

Any suggestions on the Missouri Mule mane will be appreciated. It is turning out nice and I don't want to mess up on the last detail. Well, let's say as nice a beginner can do, that is.

I am currently working on one of Mr Ludlows Cowboys and using Gene Messers You Tube series as a training aid. Even got to carve out in the sunshine while camped in Bryce campground after a day of hiking. I miss my Tueaday and Thursday carving group in Mesa, AZ, but hope to find another for the summer in Eastern Pa, near West Chester.

Happy carving!

[chuckbolton]

i assume this mane is standing -- id use a mico u gouge-- start at the neck and work up-- from both sides-- short mule manes seldom flow-- they tend to stand straight up like a butch or mohawk-- but try not to make it look uniform-- there needs to be some variation-there is no line of definition between the mane and neck- it just seems to come out of it- (ofcourse thats exactly what happens) - or you could burn in your texture and then paint it-- ive never carved a mule (that would be a good project and its been thought about) -- have done many horses and ofcourse they tend to lay over-- but see many mules-- i have draft horses so often in the same sales there are mules-- any other questions-- please ask--

[Ed Redwine]

Chuck is giving good advice. All the mule's I've seen had very short (Mohawk) type manes. Carving the main straight up like Chuck suggested will work. Of course the mane on mules I've seen is much darker than the mules hide. Hope this makes sense.

[chuckbolton]

Ed-- i hadnt even though of color-- black mules would have black mane and tail-- often we see bay (dark red) mules and they would have black mane and tails-- but many of the mules being produced today are sorrel (light red) -- and they have flaxen ( blonde) mane and tail-- and grey mules may have black-- and become lighter ( to white) with age-- arent you glad you started this--lol -- do a google search for mule pictures and check that out-- JOhn as u drive across country-- look at some of the amish communties-- several in ohio and some in penn use mules in addition to horses.

[Ed Redwine]

Chuck, haven't seen many other than the darker mules (mostly Bay) but they were always black maned. The ones I remember were from Ft. Concho in TX, and the State Fair where the Forest Service brought in a corral full of them. Then there are the occasional few I see around here. Looks like the skys the limit.

[chuckbolton]

want to discuss tails? know where the term "shave tail" comes from?

[big dave]

who's MR. ludlow

[Old_Gord]

I think he might mean Harold L. Enlow.


OG

[Farmall]

Does it matter if its a Jack or a Jenny? Are the manes different?

[minowevie]

Hi John , camping in Bryce canyon, dang. you are one lucky carver. I am just a beginner, but I would probably use a v gouge, very small. and make the hair go all different directions. deep, and then to fine line. or even a wood burner. love to see your results. Evie... hiking. drats, jealous