Help carving a baby

[mhairt]

My sister in law is due in a few weeks and I would love to carve something similar to the carving below by Henry Philips.


I am a beginner and have only carved a few bowls. I would love any advice on how best to carve something like this. Is it to difficult for a beginner?

[Kelley]

This looks like a fairly simple carving to do. Not much detail, no hands, no feet, no hair. Simple clothes folds and one ear and a closed eye. Go for it.

Kelley

[Callynne]

I've carved a few babies, Santa babies, I call them, since they are always in a Santa hat (and diapers). They are sweet little things to carve and Kelley is right, one like that one shouldn't be hard at all....and will make a wonderful gift!! Good luck! Deborah

[sitesby]

You never know if a carving is to complicated until you dive into the project. I expect you will be successful and learn many lessons from this type of carving. Have fun.

[carver33]

Looks like you've got the pattern already. I would suggest 2" thick Basswood, and keep the picture handy for a reference.

If you've carved bowls, you probably have the skills necessary to tackle this project.

[wildhare]

Do the best you can and your sister in law will love it. I would print out the picture and draw an outline on tracing paper and transfer to the wood. Make stop cuts just a bit outside the outline of the baby . I work on both sides of a carving to get a more uniform carving. Slowly I take off a little here and a little there until I have a rough out of the baby. Then I remove the NOT baby stuff.
I go back to the baby to refine it and then refine the blanket.

But that is just my way. I am sure some others may have a better way to do it.
Wanda

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Wanda ( Wildhare) has some very good advice, another option is to print out picture and transfer it to the wood using carbon paper. Hope this helps, you will do fine. I learn by doing all the time.

Dave

[mhairt]

Thanks for the replys. I am going to give it a go. Whats the worst that can happen. I will post a pic when I get it done if it is fit for public viewing.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Get some good basswood and decide to carve 10 (ten) of them....you will be surprised, pleasantly as you go how good they get!

[Donsexton]

It will be fun for you and you will learn something.