My First Carvings Pine Cone and Wizard

[Tobey]

I thought I would share my experience with you all as well as a few pictures.

These are my first two woodcarvings.I purchased the "Beginners Set" from Little Shavers and decided to try one of the suggested projects from their site, the Pine Cone Ornament.
It just so happens that it was also in the WCI Holiday special issue.
I will say that this is good first project in my opinion because getting the wood from a block to a rounded cone shape definitely taught me a lot about my new knife and how to use it.
I used my glove and thumb guard at all times and I was glad I did. I had 3-4 good glancing blows to the glove while doing this project. I remember one in particular that made me stop for a moment and go phew...... Glad I have the glove.
I finished it with Minwax stain, an eye screw,green string and a red bow.
I also woodburned in my initials and "2010"The Cone was a gift to my wife of 15 years.
She Put it on the tree immediately.

[Mark Dellinger]

Tobey,

That is a great little carving. I really like that pine cone. I can see why your wife was happy with it. I'd definitely hang one of those on the tree. Thanks for sharing.

Safe Carving and God Bless,

Mark

[rgham]

That's what it's all about. Nice job and no blood stains on the pinecone!

[GaryMc]

Hello Tobey, Great job on the Pinecone, now you are hooked, hehe. Look foward to seeing more of your work, Happy New year!
GaryMc

[kdispoto]

Came out pretty darn nice. You are definitely on the right track. What's next?

[Tobey]

Then I moved on to Gene Messer's Video tutorial on the five minute wizard.Gene is a good teacher.
I understood what was going on the complete time and the video's were great because I could watch certain segments over and over and pause/play as much as needed to get a grip on what needed to be done.
My Blu-Ray Player is You-Tube capable and it was nice to watch Genes Video's right on my TV nice and big.
I am also Starting to watch some of Arlene's and Mac's videos too......It is actually a bit addicting.

I had so much fun with the Wizard but it took me more like five hours+++ over a few different days... not five minutes. I understand the meaning of the title though.
I hemmed and hawed for a spell on the eyes. Did a bunch of looking at pictures before deciding to create the "eye space" area and just paint them on.

I did both carvings entirely with my Murphy knife with the excepting of the Hair texture. For that I used my new V-tool.I finished the wizard with acrylic paints.
I painted the beard and mustache a darker gray and damp brushed(a bit wetter that a dry-brush) them with white.
The decorations on the hat are also painted on, not carved.The Wizard I gave to my six year old Son. He had been watching the transformation over the few days.The Smile When he read “To Sam Love Dad” on the back of the hat..........

I am getting ready for my third project. Just not sure what it is going to be yet.
I got some holiday Cash and decided since it was gifted money I would buy some nice tools.I have 2 Cape forge Knives and The Dockyard Sculptors set on the way.

I have both a local carving class and a local club that I will be checking out soon.I owe most of my success with these first carvings to you folks on this site. From the recommendation of the Little Shavers set, learning to strop, Gene, Arlene's, Macs & others Videos and the magazine itself.....Just an invaluable resource.

I know that I made some mistakes but I learned a lot. I am pleased with the carvings and will do more carving and learning soon.

Sorry so long winded.

Thanks to all and thanks for looking.

trouble with wizard pics but will post later gotta go

Tobey

[Tobey]

Thanks all,

for some reason the attacment manager is giving me errors.

I have to go as my Mother is having trouble with her water pump.

I will try to post the Wizard pics when I return.

[kdispoto]

Tobey,

Go get em' cowboy - your on the carving ride of your life.
Have a happy and safe new year!

[brent]

Looks like you are off to a real good start. Pine cone looked so natural on the tree.

[Tobey]

Thanks for the Replies.

Trying Wizard pics again.

Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all.