My first carving

gdr2004 · #1 07-02-2005, 07:23 PM

Hey all,
I had posted a few months ago about being interested in carving, well- here's what I've done so far.

I decided to do some carving with soap since soap is cheaper than basswood and I figured that I might as well get some cheap practice before spending some money.

First, I found some chisel sets that my father had as well as a xacto knife set (not pictured) which was more than adequate for the soaps.

If you'll notice, I carved out the faces first (can you guess the order that they were carved in?) to get a feel for getting a basic shape- next, I tried carving a dog and I decided that was enough practice to get into wood. So, I stopped by my local Woodcraft store and picked up a thing of basswood and a knife.

When I got home, I realized that I need a vice and a saw. I tried using a drill to cut it but I didn't think it'd be a good idea to cut with one hand and hold the wood with the other (safety first, right?). So until I get a vice to hold the block of basswood, I'll have to hang tight. Can't wait to get started though!

wade clark · #2 07-02-2005, 07:59 PM

GDR,
The little yellow dog's a cutie! You're on the right track! Use those gloves.
Since you don't have a vice, you could screw the basswood to a small block of plywood, then screw the plywood to something larger...a stump or any heavy piece of wood except the kitchen table!
The hammer will damage the chisels and gouges pretty quickly. Until you're ready to buy a carving mallet you can use a round piece of wood like a piece of a small limb, maybe 14 to 16 inches long and 3 inches thick, whittled down some on one end to fit your grip. Mallets are cheap, though, and they won't damage your gouges like hitting them with steel will.
Wood doesn't have to be basswood or any certain kind. Some are better than others but anything you can find in the wood pile or woods is worth experimenting on!
Have fun!
Wade

gdr2004 · #3 07-03-2005, 12:09 AM

I just got myself a vice and a saw from home depot today. I gotta say it's pretty addicting! I only got a 3" vice though so I think I'm going to exchange it for a bigger one. I also think I'm going to get a better saw since the grip is extremely small and uncomfortable. I made my first wooden blank! :-D I can't wait till I get back to working and finish it. Any tips? :-D

wade clark · #4 07-03-2005, 12:53 AM

G,
Not being an expert or professional, learning as I go, what works for me is taking small amounts off and then looking at it some more. A man once told me, "to carve an elephant you just remove everything that obviously isn't part of the elephant". I know that sounds too simple, but it's a really good way to start a carving. Take a little off and re-evaluate the carving. then do it again.
Another good thing for me is having a pretty good plan. I might change my plan along the way, but I'll be happier if I have an idea of what I'm looking for inside that wood.
It's also fun sometimes just to pick up a scrap of wood or twig and make shavings! No concern about what's left...next thing you know it all left! Have fun!
Wade

gdr2004 · #5 07-03-2005, 02:35 AM

Hey all, it's 1:30am and I just finished carving up my first wooden carving. I used basswood and since I began the project today at approx 9, it's taken me abot 4 hours to finish it. It was a trial and error process (I accidentally cut off the poor dog's nose but I decided he was due for a nosejob anyway and gave a him a new one). I really got a good feel for how to use the knife and next time I feel that I should get a bigger block of basswood as I had a hard time cutting into the small parts. You can't see it in the pictures but I also used a xacto knife to drill little holes for his eyes. This is so addicting! I still see a lot of detail work that needs to be done but I think I'll leave it at this and carve up a new project tommorow. Do ya'll remember what your first ever wood carving was? I know I'll remember mine!

PS Any suggstions on what I could do with the dog? Varnish? Paint? Sand paper it?

Hugh · #6 07-03-2005, 05:08 AM

You've got a good start. Why not continue to work on the dog, and see what you can do. You need reference, a photo or something to work from. Take one small section at a time, recognize the shape that needs to be carved, and attempt to duplicate what you see. Try not to look at the whole carving, but for example, look at the ear, shape the ear, and go on to the next part. Break it down, finish it section by section, and you will find it coming together. Don't jump around though, start at one end and work towards the other. Hope this helps, you've got good potential.

squbrigg · #7 07-03-2005, 06:39 AM

Hugh offers some great advice, now that you have the basic shape, think about some detail. Sounds like you are really enjoying your first adventure into the world of carving....you have just turned a corner in your life, and you will never be the same. Carving becomes a wonderful passion and will sustain you all of your days, through the good times and the rough ones. Well done.

Bob

MelNM · #8 07-03-2005, 07:53 AM

Start taking a little away at a time. I like to keep a center line on the carving so everything is balanced. But most of all relax and enjoy the experience and learn from it, you'll find out you learn from every carving. My wife has my first carving still (Yuk) and there's a big difference. It looks like your well on your to becoming a tool junky like me also

AlArchie · #9 07-03-2005, 08:21 AM

If you are looking for a saw for roughing out your blanks, try to get a decent coping saw.....I see from your pictures you have a small key hole saw, but the coping saw will be a lot better for cutting the blanks out. They are relatively inexpensive (usually under six or seven bucks and will come with a supply of three or four blades. Then, as was mentioned earlier, maintain a centerline as you carve....keep renewing it with a pencil as you cut away the wood.

Looks like you have a good start with the saop figures. Now just do to wod what ya did to soap!

Al

AlArchie · #10 07-03-2005, 08:29 AM

You have had good advice so far. As for finishing, I have a friend who carves these small dogs, and he just uses black paint for the eyes, and a little bright red to paint on a tongue, hanging out, then finsh with a clear poly. tehy really look cute, so give that a try.

Al