My first attemp

[James A]

This is my first attempt at a woodspirit, and I was wondering how it ranks as far as firsts with everyone. I didn't really have a pattern for it, I just used what I saw on another example of one. The only part that is giving me trouble is the eyes. Can anyone help out on making the eyes for this carving?

[tucker1931]

Hi There James. I'm fairly new at this as well and I feel your pain. I think everyone that ever started carving had the same difficulty as you, so don't panic just yet. I would suggest you check under the tutorials on this forum, go back thru the posts and see what you can find. I believe Little Shavers (the store) has a little tutorial or maybe it's Smoky mountain (type in both those names on Google and have a look). Personally, I've been going thru all the posts on here looking at the different spirits and you'll eventually get the drift of it. Sorry I could help ya more, good luck and hang in there.
Cliff

[squbrigg]

James, you have a good beginning there. Don't be afraid to take off more material to "round" the face. That's a common fear for new carvers, to take off too much material, but you will overcome it. Pear off the edges of the sides of the face, around the eyes, and round off the mustaches.

There are some excellent "how to's" in the Tutorial section, so have a look.

Keep up the good work.

Bob

[Colin-Partridge]

I agree nothing wrong with that for your first attempt. What I would suggest to you is that next time use a square block of wood and carving the face on the corner of the wood. This is only constructive critisism but the face is a little square nothing in nature has straight lines. Agreed dont be afraid of taking wood away. When I first started carving someone gave me the same advice. When you start carving the eyes on the back of the carving then you have taken too much wood away. As for eyes there are many ways of doing them. What I would suggest is to get yourself a book on carving the human face Fox Chapel has many of them. Practice makes perfect just keep on trying and make sure you post your second carving so we can see the difference. The best tutorial I have found is to errect a mirror on the bench beside you and took into the mirror and carve what you see. It is by far the best tutorial you could ever have.
Colin

[windsong]

James
Thats a very good job for your first try.I agree with Colin round off the corners a little. Take your time.The more you carve wood spirits the better you will get.Start with scraps of wood that way if you mess up then its no big deal.When you get another one done please post the photos so we can see your improvement.
windsong

[Eddy-Smiles]

James.... That's a great first attempt. What I would suggest is that on your next woodspirit that instead of working on the flat plane, you turn it so that you work on the angle where your edges come together. This will make your nose, forehead and chin protrude more naturally. If you do not have a tutorial, send me your regular email address Via PM and and I'll send you a color tutorial that I previously downloaded off of the web. It will also help you with your beards.

[Thomp]

try this 5 step tutorial http://www.texaswoodcarvers.com/Pages/eye_stick.htm
take your time on a larger stick, then when completed modify it to the smaller stick,,,
make about 5 of them and youll be more familure with the process and should be able to change it up to your needs

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Good start James.....now think "round" lol

[Mottles]

Hey James, looking fine for your first one! We all have to start from the beginning and it always isn't pretty. Actually, yours looks much better than my first one. Other's have given you good information, and the more you do the better your woodspirits will get. Stay encouraged and practice, practice.
Kathy