How are my carvings?

[FIT BMX]

This is my first post my first thread, and some of my first carvings might as well get it all in one shot. I don't have a lot of time to carve, and in the summer I,m luck to even pickup a knife non the less carve anything.

What do you all think of my carvings, and don't be nice!


These are the first candle sticks I ever carved. About 3 years ago.


This is the first and only angel I.v ever done. About 2 years ago.


I carve a lot of these in the winter, they are cheep Christmas gifts. ( I can go from log to bird in 20-30 minutes)

[Merle Rice]

Hi FIT, I tried not to be nice but your carvings are realy good. Sorry. Merle

[FIT BMX]

Made this last winter, but do to a bad piece of wood I had to much breakage when I bent it so it was a flop.


This I was working on last, It's the first flower I've done I still need to finish it then paint it ( I hope it works).

[FIT BMX]

Thanks!
Do you know what a good brand of paint would be for the flower?

[bob easton]

The "brand" of paint probably doesn't matter much. There are lots of brands for any type of paint.

I think the better question is "What do you hope to achieve?" Do you want a translucent hint of color, like a stain, which allows the grain to show through? Or, do you want opaque coloring which completely hides the grain? What kind of surface texture do you want, matte, satin, gloss? There are several ways to achieve each result, each using different types of paint and other finishes.

Let us know what you want the end result to be, and then we can make better suggestions.

By the way.... the carvings are all very attractive. You've got a good thing going!

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Awesome carvings, well done!

Dave

[Claude]

Beautiful carvings!

Bob said it well - all depends on what you are looking for in the finish. Personally, I'd suggest using acrylic washes - thin the paint abut 20:1 with water (20 water, 1 paint). Paint it with this, let it dry and see what you think. The effect is subtle...it dries a bit lighter than when you put it on. You can then put on another coat to intensify the color a bit, if you think it's too light. I'd also suggest trying this on a piece of similar scrap wood first. Jot down a note of what you are doing, and when you get it where you like it, do the flower. You can always throw away the scrap without a qualm... BTW, I get my acrylics from Michaels craft store - brand doesn't seem to be important...(my opinion - some artists will disagree with me, but that's ok)

Claude

[FIT BMX]

I was thinking of a paint that hides the grain, and makes it look as real as I can get it.
I will most likely go with satin for the flower, and gloss for the vase/base.

This is what the carving is based on. It's not real close but it's just a test run, and will probably in the wood burner at the end.

[FIT BMX]

Trying it out on a piece of scrap is a good idea, plus I've never painted anything smaller than a house.

[oneshotveth]

Putting one of those flowers in your dart frog tanks is probably not a good idea