[Thor]

Kathy,
I just wanted to add my Hoorays for your improvement. These little guys are distinctive and fun. Enjoy the process, because with your talent in other areas, this will only be the beginning. Great job.
Thor

[Kenny_S]

Mottles,

A lot of very fine carving of faces have been done with just a bench knife. Don't sell it short. Keep on gal, You only get better!

[Colin_Partridge]

You did great my first woodspirit looked like it had been in a serious car accident. I do exactly the same as you sometimes I do four faces in each piece it is a great way to practice. I have been seriously thinking on my larger pieces to take the chainsaw and cut the logs square to see what kind of effect it would give me. You are coming along very nicely and should be proud that you are stepping out of your comfort zone, ask me that is a very hard thing to do.
Colin

[Mottles]

Thank you Thor, yep it's practice, practice that's what I tell my Tuesday painting pals. I thought I really loved clay sculpture but this woodcarving sculpture is so much more challenging. Hard to put it back when you take to much off. tee hee
Kathy

[Mottles]

Hi Ken, oh boy I know it I've seen some fantastic woodcarving using just a knife. For a beginner such as myself having a few good carving tools is very helpful. grin

[Mottles]

Originally Posted by colin_partridge

You did great my first woodspirit looked like it had been in a serious car accident. I do exactly the same as you sometimes I do four faces in each piece it is a great way to practice. I have been seriously thinking on my larger pieces to take the chainsaw and cut the logs square to see what kind of effect it would give me. You are coming along very nicely and should be proud that you are stepping out of your comfort zone, ask me that is a very hard thing to do.
Colin

Hey Colin, bet it's getting darn cold in your neck of the woods. Thank you for your nice compliment. I think it would be a terrific exercise to cut a four side log and go at it. I bet you'd come up with a super carving. I'd love to at some point carve a wood spirit in a dead tree. There is a fellow from Dewey, AZ just down the road from me who carved one in the Bradshaw Mts. It was featured in I think it was the Fall issue of WCI. I want to try and find it....
Yep it's good to take on a challenge especially if ya got good pals like you all to help along the way.
Kathy

[Linda L]

I've been trying to find the courage to try my first woodspirit, also. Kathy, I think you are doing a terrific job! Wow! My first "face" attempt was on a corner. The nose ended up REALLY long, and everything was out of proportion! I've tried a couple since, never finished them, but just picked up some more square basswood "sticks" to practice on. You've given me the courage to jump in! I guess maybe being a beginner may not count for much, but I'm very impressed!!! I can only dream mine will turn out so well!


I haven't been able to find Len Dillon's tutorial or Susan's. Can someone tell me if they are posted somewhere?

You guys sure do a great job of encouraging us beginners. I've wanted to throw in the chisel quite a few times, but you all keep me coming back. Thanks from me and all us "newbies" for your patience and help!

Linda

[Mottles]

Hi Linda, thank you--and I'm really a beginner, beginner and have found the only way to learn is by doing. Yes, mistakes are made and plenty of them but with each carving you do the more you learn and the better you become. Or should I say the more confident you become.
Take a look at Susan Irish's site it's a free tutorial on carving the woodspirit's face. http://www.carvingpatterns.com/wooda...s/instruc1.htm I think this will help. Susan also has an e-project of which I have used for my woodspirits and it's great. On this one she has you start the woodspirit in the corner. Where as the one I gave you the link for starts on the flat area. Scroll though her tutorials the one I have is in there and she shows part of the lesson. If I find it I'll edit this reply with the link. Found it http://www.carvingpatterns.com/eprojects/eprojects.htm If you just look at the first set of images it shows how to begin from the corner of the block.
I'm so pleased you like WCI and all the terrific folks here. I know I felt so welcome and by the way still do. tee hee
Kathy