My 2 Hour Wizard

[gatoruss]

After several months of lurking on this board, reading about carving, and watching youtube videos, I finally sat down and attempted to carve something...I tried to follow along Gene Messer's 5-minute wizard...although mine is more accurately a 2 hour wizard!

Can't wait to try it again...there are many things that I would do differently...to name a few - I made mustache too long, so there isn't much of a beard below...quite a big schnozz...the lines separating the beard and face are too deep...and I over cut the brim of the hat...I know that there are many others.

I am happy with how it turned out...better than I had thought that it would. Very happy that I finally sat down and tried to carve something!

[Claude]

Pretty good for a first carving. My primary suggestion is to try to get the nose to be a bit more of a triangle. I've found that continually sketching on the carving as I proceed helps me to keep the overall project in mind and not get lost in the detail somewhere. I'd also suggest removing the little "hump" in the beard right below the mustache... As you can see from my avatar, I just look in the mirror when I'm carving a mustache and beard. It looks as if you got rid of the square corners from the block of wood quite well - this is good as many beginners tend to produce "square" carvings from being afraid to take off enough wood... Now, go back and re-look at the video, then carve another!

Claude

[blanchard65]

Looks pretty good keep up the great work

[FARMALL RON]

Good job keep at it............Ron

[Soggy]

Originally Posted by gatoruss

I am happy with how it turned out...better than I had thought that it would. Very happy that I finally sat down and tried to carve something!

That last sentence says it all!...............We all had to start somewhere at one time and I would say you are off to a good start.Just keep practicing and you will be amazed at how much easier it becomes.
Just a suggestion. Keep that first carving , put the date on it somewhere, then each year do another similar and keep it. This will give you a record of your progress.
Soggy

[kdispoto]

Not bad Gatoruss - looks like you are on your way to this enjoyable hobby!
Persistence - that's the key.

[idigjars]

Hello and welcome Gatoruss.

Don't be too concerned about the time it takes for these kind of projects, just enjoy the experience. I think your wizard looks really good.

I have been practicing these 5 minute wizards myself and they take a lot longer than 5 minutes for me also. Keep up the good work and safe carving. Paul

[Buffalo Bif]

I like the long mustache, and the big schnozz...Nice job all the way around, as fun to look at as he must have been to carve. Glad to hear he only took 2 hours. Betcha money Gene's first one did not get done in 5 minutes either, I know mine didn't.

[uvawyo]

Nice job, don't worry about how long it takes this is not a timed event

[Buffalo Bif]

One of these days I'll sit down and carve one of these figures over and over, and count haw many i carve before I get the time down to 5 minutes. Or maybe ten. 20?