What do you think about this...

[Buckfever4life]

I am just about to begin carving, I am waiting for my wood spirit class at WoodCraft next week. I am really interested in wood spirits and faces. I ran across this while searching the net. This looks like a step by step process and it appears as though anyone would be able to do this no matter what skill level. What do you all think??

http://www.woodcarvers.com/sc051.htm

[achaundy]

I like the idea of having a study stick, i wiil probably get one. The local supply house has them, it was an actual carving in wood. Skip

[Buckfever4life]

I think I will check my local WoodCraft and see what kind they have. I really like the looks of the face on this one here that I posted the link on. It appears to be in real wood as well. I hate to be a copy cat, but once you do several, you can put some of your own creative touches to it. I just never thought I would even know how to start one and this gives you a good reference point.

[mikeg]

I suspect you'll find the one you posted to be a casting. Still handy since you get to look at it from all angles. I have a number of study sticks, none from Skylar Johnson though.

I'm also a big fan of practice sticks, that's where you basically make your own study sticks. It's good practice(hence the name!) and you get a study stick out of it at the end.

mikeg

[Clifford_Parker]

Try these sites. They helped me learn to make woodspirits.

http://carverscompanion.com/Ezine/Vo...ngPencils.html

http://carverscompanion.com/Ezine/Vo...Wispinski.html

http://www.tusedesigns.com/woodcarving/projects.htm

http://www.carvingpatterns.com/wooda...woodspirit.htm

Making practice sticks is also a very good idea. It is difficult for me to learn by looking at a study cast or stick but if I actually do the work making a practice stick it helps a lot and makes the cuts easier to remember.

[Clifford_Parker]

Originally Posted by Buckfever4life

I really like the looks of the face on this one here that I posted the link on. It appears to be in real wood as well.

Nope, says "casting" right on the page so, unless you want to grab a dremel and breathe plastic resin dust, carving changes would be difficult.

[tucker1931]

Hey Cliff, great sites for spirit carving indeed. I have a copy of Tony's Bark Carving. To me, it's the holy grail for sure. I'm just getting ready to stain my FIRST spirit and will post when completed. I really enjoyed the pencil carvings, I'm they are a little small for my old hands to tackle (but you never know) Thanks for posting, I'm sure it will help a lot of beginners.
Cliff

[Bob_in_TN]

Hey Buckfever, I know the guy that did that study stick. He's an outstanding carver, great instructor, and a heck of a nice guy. I haven't seen this stick, but he has done others and all are well done. He carves the first one and the rest are cast. Hope this helps you.

[Buckfever4life]

Awesome links, thanks to everyone for your input. I am going to try the pencil spirit. It doesnt matter to me if it is cast resin or actual wood for the study stick. I just need a visula hands on aid o help me along the process. I can look at something and use it as a reference.

Thanks again
Chad

[Claude]

Here are some more wood spirit step-by-steps for you:

http://www.tusedesigns.com/woodcarving/woodspirit.htm

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/ww_dec...427850,00.html

http://sdwoodcarvers.com/

Claude