Re: new carver walking stixs Wow, Mark, that's a large area to cover, and I'm not sure of the "wisdom" I canoffer, but I sure am flush on words.
First, I guess youhave to decide what you want to carve on, nad what you want to carve on it.
If you want to collect your own sticks to start with, that's where ya gotta go...into the woods! Or if you want to work withready made material, hit the lumber yard and get either closet rod or lumber ripped to square size you want to work with.
Collected sticks can be seasoned first or carved green...up to you. Bark is more easilly stripped if the wood is collected in the spring, or early summer, so you are ontrack here. If you want to dry the stick first, seal the ends with parafin wax or primer or whatever, and let the sticks set for about a month in a dry area. Then check to see if they are dry enough for you. Some will dry quickly and some may take several months.
Then pick your design......wood spirits, wild life, caricature, floral, and find some (or make) patterns.
Make sure your knives and gouges are sharp, and have at it. Remember, a lot of stick carving is relief and does not necessarily need to be too deep, but you can make it as "in the round" as you want.
If you decide that trips to the woods for materialis up your alley, be sure to look around for interesting looking pieces, and don't limit your selection to one or two species. There are a lot of woods in the woods, and each will present different problems and rewards!
Al |