First attempt carving Troll and his Queen

[Ezzylearner]

Hi, to all on the forum from the far east. Have not posted for quite awhile because of health reasons that comes with retirement some two years ago. I'm OK now. Recently I found a small block of rubber tree wood in my neighborhood (have wanted to try carving with this type of wood for some time - all along its been jelutong) and decided to attempt for the first time carving a Troll (from Harley Refsal's book Scandinavian Style Woodcarving) and his Queen (Woodcarving Illustrated Spring 2011 issue No. 54). My experience in flat plane carving is limited to only viewing Gene Messers' videos & blog and Refsal's book. Anyway, the carvings (see attached pics) do not really resemble that shown in Refsal's book and 's Issue No.54, after all I am a beginner and my knife and carving skills are limited, but it was fun in the learning process.

The rubber wood was very dry and had to soaked it in water for more than 24 hours. During carving I found that the wood splintered resulting in silvers of various length along the cuts but by swabbing repeatedly with a mixture of 50/50 water and alcohol in-between carving the splintering were reduced. This piece of rubber wood is harder than the jelutong wood that I'm used to.

In flat plane carving are there any minimum / maximum knife strokes in achieving a desired cut or does one goes with the feel? Tips and comments are most welcome as they will help me to improve my learning process.

[uvawyo]

Mr and MrsTroll look pretty good to me, The male troll was one of my first attempts at carving in the round and yours is better

[Buffalo Bif]

They look like troll royalty to me. Neat to read your experiences with rubberwood, it looks like a porous luan or similar? I think your interpretation of Refsals work is great.

As for the number of cuts involved in FP, while fewer is better too few may not be so good either. I'm betting no one will put a number to your question.

[Ezzylearner]

Thanks, Herb and BfloBif, for the encouragement, helps to keep me going. I am doing some tidying up of Mr. Troll, after that I'm going to paint Mr. & Mrs. Troll. I am looking forward to ordering Mr. Refsal's latest book "Whittling Little Folk". Happy and safe carving to all.

Lawrence (call me Ezzy, if you like)

[Ezzylearner]

Here's Mr & Mrs Troll all painted up. They were carved using 2" x 2" x 5" rubberwood. The finished carvings are about 4 1/2 " tall.

Happy and safe carving to all.



Lawrence (or call me Ezzy, if you like)

[Midnight Carver]

Nice job on the pair of them! Thanks for sharing

Eric

[uvawyo]

Nice, I like the flowers and the plaid

[Sharon of the Dell]

Those are some neat carvings!

[delbert]

good job on both of them. keep up the good work.!

[Ezzylearner]

Deeply appreciated, Eric, Herb, Sharon, and Delbert.

Lawrence (or call me Ezzy, if you like)