[Kenny_S]

What do the judges look at or look out for when judging a carving at a show? Do they look atr the entire item or just the wood carving itself? I have never shown a carving at a show and don't know how they judge carvings. I guess what I am saying, Do they judge those items in a carving scene that are not wood, like pewter bird legs and feet, trees made of wire and epoxy, etc.

Thanks in advance for your input.

[Colin_Partridge]

Kenny,
I am no expert and I am not a judge although I have been asked to judge. I have a few friends that judge some of these shows and I have asked the question of them a few times. The main thing they look for is flow, by this I mean does the the carving continue on not just the initial glance. By this I mean when you look at the carving does it make you want to explore it more does it flow to the sides and the back of the carving do the knife or chisel strokes continue on so you want to look at to see where they are leading and once you do does it make you want to follow the flow of the carving and leads you back to the front. It is hard to explain if I had a carving in my hand and had you beside me I could show you better. As for the pewter feet what I look for is do they look natural has the carver made them look real to be a good bird carver you also need to be a good artist (Painter). I believe that woodcarvers are as good an artist as any other medium.
Also does the carving stand out originality is also what they are looking for so sometimes an unusual carvings catch the judges eye because they are so used to seeing the same thing time after time.
This is just my observations I am not an expert but these are some of the things I look for in woodcarvings.
Hope this has helped
Colin

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Kenny....I think there are as many answers to that as there are to 'what brand carving knife do you like?' From my limited experience, its seems it is basically at the mercy of the particular judge, some have preferences, prejudices etc just like the rest of us......so enter and takes yer chances mate! lol

[Kenny_S]

Thanks Colin and Dave. The reason I asked was, Not to show any carvings in shows as I am still not that good. Hopefully now that I have time, I can become better.
A friend of mine who is a carver in Bartlesville Ok, Has shown many of his carvings and has won first on every carving he has shown since I have known him. But he says he learned little tricks that aren't Carving(I guess that is what I maen). Fillers etc. Maybe I am not explaining it right.

To me, If you are going to show a WOOD carving, It should be all wood that has been carved. Now I am not talking about the overall scene, I amtalking about lets say a Santa, It should be all wood and sack with toys should be carved from wood. But I did notice this carvers santa was not all wood that he was 'carving'. Kind of reminds me of someone who is a good carver but to win does things to enhance the carving that isn't. I hope you guys know what I mean.
I really did not expect to much of and answer unless the people on the board have been carving.

I undederstan what you both are saying and would look at a carving that way also. I think we all would look if it was flowing or not and preferences of one judge or anothe ris the individual themselfs. I have seen some at shows that I could not figure out why they won in a catagory where others where (to me) much nicer and harder to carve subject. But then, Maybe I am old fashion and like for the carving to be a carving. I have scene many scenes that I thought were fabtastic and know the time spent to make it realistic. Just wondering. I have to look at Callynnes pictures some more. Now there is an Artist for sure. Not that you guys aren't because I love looking at your pictures.
I have rattled on far more than I had plan but one last thing. Dave(HiHO), I use the super glur and even tho it mad it stronger at the narrow placed I needed it to be, I did snap a leaf(well the two together, Just above where I used the super Glue. Lesson leaned. If you think it needs to be use broader then do it. I have fixed the leaves and now Plan to mount it on a backer board as I don't think it will last long on a wall if I don't. Will take pictures of it when finished. Anyway, the little bride likes it and that was who it is for. She can't wait to show it off in Feb when the church ladies come for the monthly meeting.
Best to you both and thanks for helping me.

[Callynne]

Thanks for the compliments Kenny, I came in here to add my two cents worth and was nicely surprised by your kind words!
I think different shows and judges have different rules and it's up to anyone entering to find out exactly what they are. I personally feel that everything that can be carved from wood should be. Certainly things should not be molded or sculpted out of epoxy or clay and added. Heck, I could do some really neat toys in Santa's bag out of clay, certainly would be easier than carving tiny things like that, but I wouldn't even dream of it. First and foremost I am a woodcarver!
It really bothered me when I started Sharon's chickadee to make the branch and needles out of 'fake things' but I knew a real one wouldn't be practical. I won't be entering that piece in any shows but if I did I'd certainly ask someone in charge if it was okay and tell them how it was made.
When I made Amanda's Fairy it didn't bother me at all fashioning the flowers out of brass sheeting, it's a gift and certainly won't ever be entered in any shows. This summer when I'm at our local Carving Show I'll ask one of the judges just what their stand is on such things, I'll let you know what they have to say.
Okay, as usual, looks like more than two cents worth! :-/ Callynne

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I believe a lot of things are acceptable Cally...as for the copper/brass used for leaves, I have seen a lot of those at shows and also see them in carving books..

[Kenny_S]

Thanks again all. Deb, You branch took a lot of work and it was a great piece of craftmanship. I have went back sever times to look at it and am amazed at what you used and the finial outcome. It takes an artist eye to see the process and the final product and I think probably before it was completed.
Yes, The new kinds of clay can be molded into some pretty items as my wife has used it to make teddy bears and such.
I guess it is a matter of what one likes or in my friend's case, get away with. I really don't know.

I knew an old whittler who started with a block of wood and never used pencil to out line or saws to make blanks. He was a carver from the old school. I am no way close to what he was.

Anyway, I got my answer(s) and I appreciate the response.

Best to you all

[icarve2003]

I can tell you the rules that are used at the competition I enter every year. This applies to bird and other wildlife carving.

Novice class allows pewter feet, and other materials such as rocks for the habitat.

Intermediate class allows other materials for habitat but they all must be hand made, eg., plaster, copper wire for branches, etc.

Open class and Masters requires everthing to be hand made out of wood.

Having said that, I am still in Novice class and choose to make my own feet out of copper wire and I feel that the judges may not be taking that into account since the ones with pewter feet look more realistic.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

So Chris....! put some pewter feet on, get jumped to intermediate class and you will already be talented at making your own feet and will take the honors there too! LOL

[Donna_T]

Hi Kenny,
You've gotten some really good answers, but I wanted to tell you of my experience with judging. I still don't enter much into competitions and certainly nothing of very large competition. But, at almost every show I go to, I like to visit a few minutes with one of the judges (after or between judging) to ask them what they are looking for and what makes the difference between 1st and 2nd and last place. If they find out you aren't grinding an ax but trying to learn, they are usually very gracious to share info.

The reality is that everyone judges differently and different shows may have different rules. For instance, one might not let any real rocks be used in habitat (or less than 10%), another might not let paper or copper or brass be used (leaves), one might not let roughouts or instructor assisted carvings be entered....the point is if they are established shows, they will have detailed rules for entry and judging.

Hope you enter several things and do well. Do you have a show closer than Wichita? I know Wichita and Topeka both have great fall and spring shows and the spring ones are just around the corner.

Donna T