WIP Wood Spirit

[Mottles]

Hi All:
Well, I'm hooked I love carving woodspirits so here is another one I'm working on.
He's only six inches tall and hope it shows some improvement. Still struggling with the eyes I learn something new each time.
I bought one of those basswood block carving packs from the hobby store a while back. My thought was these blocks would make good practice projects.
As always I appreciate your thoughts and comments for improvement.
Kathy

[MelNM]

Looking good, Kathy, you'll find eyes are probably the hardest and to me the most important part in carving faces. You might want to give him some eyebrows.
You really are improving, its great to see your progress.
Mel

[Mottles]

LOL, eye brows oh yeah good idea. Thanks Mel I wonder if I'll ever carve a woodspirit and feel that everything turned out well?
If I can just get the eyes right I'll be happy.
Kathy

[Marci MN]

I had that same problem.. not happy with the eyes. Until I learned one thing that helped my eye problem. In the corners of the eyes.. round the eyeball down into the corners. I do mine with a dremel..so I grab a bur that looks like a football and burrow it down into the corners to round off that eyeball. See if that is whats bothering you on yours too.

[Marci MN]

I fogot to add... I'm jealous of the nose on your guy. Thats where my problem area is.. the bridge always seems to get too narrow.. and I can't get a fat comical nose no matter how hard I try.

Good job!!

[MelNM]

Kathy, I have the same problems, now while carving I look at it for a while and say hmmmmmm whats missing? Oh yah a nose..... Bouncing S

[Mottles]

Hi Marci, thank you for the tip on the Dremel, come to think of it hubby has one. hummmmm now where did he put it????
The first nose I did my hand slipped and I cut off his lt nostal. I'm following one of Susan Irish's e-project on carving a wood sprit. She gives you really good info but I still can't get the hang of the eyes but I'll keep at it.
www.carvingpatterns.com check it out.
Thanks for your suggestions,
Kathy

[Mottles]

LOL Mel, you too? Now I think your just saying that to make me feel better. Probably won't have time now to work on him until after Thanksgiving.
By the way HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!
Kathy

[Mottles]

UPDATE: FINISHED

Talking Hi All: I finished my woodspirit haven't thought of a name yet? Any suggestions?

Added some eyebrows thank you Mel for the reminder. grin Used my v-tool, and knife to define some of the facial elements.

Applied two coats of Danish Oil let dry overnight. Applied a wash of burnt Umber (oil) mixed with linseed oil to the outer areas and wiped off. Applied burnt sienna (oil) mixed with linseed oil to the beard, mustache and eyebrows.
I decided to leave the facial skin natural.
Applied two coats of MinWax Polyacryl varnish

I feel that I'm improving and learning with each woodspirit I complete. This is really fun........
As always I appreciate your thoughts and comments for improvement.
Kathy

[MelNM]

Wow Kathy he looks good, thats quite an improvement.
Mel