[kb2rocket]

hello I want to start by saying that I know nothing about carving from reading about it or having someone teach me however I have carved several things
parrot
toucan
jewlery box
picture frame
rainforest walking stick
ect.
let me bore you a little with the details. I have purposely isolated my self from an external carving education to see if I would naturaly come to the same conclusions as people who have been carving and learning from others. and at this point I dont even know the answer yet this post is the start of my wood carving education
my first carving was the parrot and it happened by complete accident I cut out the out line of a parrot out of 3/4 pine and was going to hang it on the wall then I got to thinking it would sit on the table by its self if I glued 2 more 3/4" boards to it one on each side and I was happy with it then I started thinking if I add 2 more boards to it it will be as thick as the actual bird so I did and I set it on the edge of the table and looked at it and laughed it looked like a Robot bird with the 3/4' steps (WELLL) maybe I will use a belt sander and sand those steps smooth well the next thing I knew I was carving feathers and making feet from dowls and painting it then I was hooked
THIS IS KINDA FUN AND REWARDING
my most recent carving (a Toucan) was made in a simular but more advanced way the bird was still made by laminating several pieces of wood together but this time I used 1/8" poplar then once it was sanded the head was cut off turned reglued and smoothed before carving the details and painting. I find that this laminated method helps me keep the bird simectrical<--(spelling) on both sides does anyone else do this?
all the other carvings have been done in different ways most likley with the wrong tools
but hey Im having fun
I like the results
and I havent hurt my self yet
thanks for reading my long post

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

You can do it that way, I went for many years being self taught painting, but I have to tell you its a slow process, took three classes and learned as much as I had in 20 years on my own! Not only that but humans being what they are, we hit plateau's where we don't improve and don't progress and thats about the time people quit whatever it is they are attempting.....thats also the time you need a little imput....this is all in my opinion and hope you enjoy it however you proceed.

[kb2rocket]

thanks for the reply I think I will be returning here often to show and tell
.
and learn
thanks
Keith

[GeorgiaCarver]

Welcome aboard. I have found that if you share drawings and progress pictures that folks on this board will help you out with great suggestions. You pick and choose which ones work for you.

Look forward to some pictures!

[Mark Gargac]

Hello Kb2rocket, and welcome to posting your first post. I to have never had a formal carving lessen. I have been wood carving since the fall of 1999. I like to carve mainly faces, I find it very challenging, and not always but I hope to learn something from each one carve. Although I have never had a formal carving lessen I consider myself self guided rather than self taught. Development of ones artistic ability I feel anyways, happens in a series of steps and with each step taken longer and becoming more diffucult to succeed. But with discipline and study of the subject/s at hand they are obtainable. This comes from studying and interpreting others work , being if it's learning new techniques from carving books or watching a carver in action or maybe a video. We are only capable of progressing so far on our own until we start searching out side ourselves for furtrher creativity. And thus something we can physicaly imperssed in wood this creativity for to make a visual impression. I have learn wood carving a little at a time and if that learning would cease I feel the fun would be gone. I would hope to and it sounds like you are well on your way to becoming your own carver what I mean by this is creating your own style by incorporating segments of other carvers work that you like, into yours, and truely making it your own. Keep challenging your self to keep it fun.

[kb2rocket]

I am looking forward to getting to know you all and share works and ideas right now I am using a webtv browser and cant share pictures but I will see if I can get the computer back on line
.
I have a room that I want to decorate using Rainforest as the theme so right now Im into tropical birds and animals anphibians reptiles fish & plants so I have a lot of subjects to choose from
we will see what happens
thanks
keith

[Just Carving]

Welcome Keith. I started getting into carving a year ago. I haven't created anything earth shattering--some tools, some ornaments. some small signs, a couple of pins--but the most important thing is I am having fun. Along the way I have bought some books, magazines and tools. No lessons yet since I don't have the time to devote to them. But after reading your post and the responses, I'm inclined to believe I may not want them because I've already learned the most important one--to borrow a cliche from the sports world--JUST DO IT. Just carve whatever you want. If you're not sure how to do something, just ask here. You need pics, or diagrams--just ask here. If somebody here can't help you with what you need, somebody else will tell you who can. But most important--JUST DO IT, stay safe, and enjoy.

[Paul_Guraedy]

The first of your posts I read was the one about making birds feet. Your method is interesting and I am thinking that I will try a variation of it with some birds of prey that I am carving. I will substitute brass rods for wire, wire for thread, and two-part epoxy mix for the glue.

Anyway, wanted to respond to this thread with two observtions:

1. Don't lose your enthusiasm for experimenting and finding new and different ways of completing your carvings.

2. Take a class as soon as you can.

I started woodcarving about 1980 and even made some figures before I retired in 1995. As a Park Ranger, I was never near another carver or in a location that offered classes. I bought books by the score and butchered wood by the cord. Then, in 1996 I took my first class and became a woodcarver. It was not so much the technique of removing wood, although I learned a lot in this area, it was the development of my ability to look at the carving from a different perspective.

Some of us are fortunate enough to be "natural" artists. They "see the light" both realistically and figuratively. I needed to have the bulkiness of a figure, the flat face of a caricature, shadows on the wrong side of a landscape, the "squareness" left after carving a band sawn blank, and much more, pointed out to me.

It would take more time than we have in a lifetime to move our woodcarving to the level that can be reached by attending classes. The learning is not just from the instructors. I have often wondered why some of the carvers I see at seminars are there. They certainly do not need to take lessons. When I finally asked this question I was surprised. To paraphrase several people, "I have never attended a class that I did not learn something that has helped me as a carver."

There is no substitute for experience. Take advantage of yours and others.

Welcome aboard and I look forward to more posts of your experiments in carving.