Oskar: looking older?

[Ezzylearner]

Hi, to all on this forum. With some "oops" and "yikes" I've managed to cut a better blank with a coping saw and carved my first Oskar (rubberwood 2" x 2" x 5 1/4"), but somehow he ended up looking older by about 10 or 15 years (see attached thumbnails). I had downsized the pattern from Harley Refsal's book Scandinavian Style Woodcarving to 83% to fit the block of wood for cutting the blank, should have redrawn his head allowing it to be bigger for better facial features. I still haven't acquired the hang of square cuts associated with flat plane carving. So, I don't know whether the Oskar I've carved qualify as a flat plane?

I find that I get a bit confused looking at the step-by-step pictures in the book, but when I look at the pictures of the completed Oskar it becomes clear to me where my carving should be heading (videos help me the most). So, I only refer to certain of the step-by-step pictures and instructions for guidance when I am unsure of what I should do. I wonder how many beginners on the forum share similar experiences. Safe carving to all.

[idigjars]

Hi Ezzy. I find I learn the most watching a live teacher showing and carving in front of me. Good luck and safe carving to you. Paul

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Looks good Ezzy!

Dave

[uvawyo]

Looks nice, Ezzy, and he is very flat planeed looking

[Ezzylearner]

Paul:
Found no carving club(s) in my country nor have I come across someone over here whom I've met who's a wood carver. I have posted on "Off Topics" on this forum hoping to find out whether there are any Malaysians on this forum - but no luck so far. All I have learned came and still comes from the internet (videos on YouTube - Gene first, then Arleen, then others, from this forum, WCI magazines and books). I do long to have an instructor in person sitting by my side to guide me. Guess you guys on the forum will have to stand in. Oops, I forgot, I do have JC the Divine woodworker, wood turner, and wood carver sitting with me. <smile>

Dave and Herb: Thanks, for your encouragement.

Safe carving to all.

[blanchard65]

Great job keep up the good work. I think it came out great

[Uncle Bills Cabin]

Ezzy
Nice job on your first Oskar. I kinda like the older look. When you are learning from a carving book it is always a good idea to read through the project first and familiarize your-self with the project and technique. I always look ahead a few steps to see what the final results of the cut I am going to make should look like and then I work for that goal. If it is a cut or technique that I am new to, sometimes I will use a scrap piece of wood to practice the cut before moving forward. I also find that videos are the next best thing to a live teacher or seminar.

Bill

[Doug R]

Ezzy it looks good to me, keep it up and you will be surprised at how your carving skills progress with each project.

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by Ezzylearner

I find that I get a bit confused looking at the step-by-step pictures in the book, but when I look at the pictures of the completed Oskar it becomes clear to me where my carving should be heading (videos help me the most). So, I only refer to certain of the step-by-step pictures and instructions for guidance when I am unsure of what I should do. I wonder how many beginners on the forum share similar experiences. Safe carving to all.

Your experience pretty much mirrored mine. A finished figure or picture is always handy to refer to.

Nice work and it looks to me like you are doing a great job of getting the hang of flat plane.

Rubberwood eh? How does it carve?

[Ezzylearner]

Thanks, to all you guys for your encouragement, tips and guides, makes me keep going.

Bill: Thanks for your advice. I do read ahead before I start on a project, the trouble is there are parts that I do not understand or grasp a technique how to go about it (watching a video makes it clear to me). Downsizing a pattern has its pitfall (for me) as a beginner because I find maneuvering my knife in tight spots almost impossible unless I have a micro carving knife/tool. Anyway, I'm already practicing on Oskar's face (see attached thumbnail) until I get it right - this is based on the full size pattern in Harley Refsal's book.

Terry: My estimate is that the density of rubberwood is about 3 times that of jelutong (from weighing similar size piece of both, don't know whether this is the right way to do it). I need to push my knife harder and do thin shavings and small cuts carving rubberwood, on the good side I can do more precise cuts without the oops when my knife goes beyond the point like when I carve with jelutong. On the whole its good wood to carve but a bit hard and on the heavy side.