Bodhrán player

[Rooster]

Here's the second member of the band (to go along with the banjo player I did a couple of weeks ago) The head is still a bit ... ew, but it's a bit of an improvement on the first one. The first one now looks like the Michelin man, wearing a pumpkin head.

His right shoe had an accident along the grain, so he had to be given a pair of pointy shoes. Turned out OK, I think. However his right hand came off completely and the glue is now setting (probably in the wrong place, but I can't for the life of me find anything that will hold it without breaking his arm in the process). But, on the bright side, it did allow me to glue in the stick (apparently called a beater, I looked it up) in place. Saved me drilling through his hand which would surely have ended in disaster.

All comments and helpful advice very welcome (and needed)

Thanks for looking.
Rooster.

[Grayhorn]

Rooster, the most wonderful part of carving in my opinion is doing exactly what I'm reading that you are doing. HAVING FUN CARVING. You have done a great job, made adjustments and reached your goal. What more could be done. Carve on friend.

[uvawyo]

Rooster, despite all those injuries he appaers to be having a good time
good show

[Rooster]

Thanks Alan & Herb. The first guy I did was a little static as well, so I thought I'd try to get a little bit of movement into this one. I need to work on my heads and faces a bit, but yeah it's fun alright.

Hmm, just found the chip from the shoe that I was saving. Guess I can chuck that now.

Rooster.

[tnartist05]

Rooster,you are doing a neat job on theses little guys plus it has to be super hard getting the right positions correct with each one. You are doing Great!!

Forrest

[JoeVM]

You did a nice job on the body proportions and positions. Try thinning the head more. Looks like you are a fast learner.

[chpster90bu]

Looks like you're well on your way to learning the art of caricature, Rooster. I took a look at your banjo player, as well. You have a very good take on movement and you will be a natural at this. Practice makes perfect. Someone suggested to switch to basswood if you can, and I agree. This kind of pine is very difficult to work with...it splits and splinters very easily. Sand them up a bit and coat with some blo or poly and you'll really bring the grain out in these. A good beginning to a future caricature carver! They're cute! Bonnie

[urbansheepdog]

I really like that bodhran player! He's really animated! I reckon he's rattling out 'Toss the Feathers'. Great job and goingto be good seeing the band growing! Get a Uke player in there an you'll be smokin'!

[Rooster]

Thank you all for the kind words. It's very encouraging.

Forrest, Joe, I make little models of them first to see how things look before I start. It's really helpful. Kinda feel like it's cheating a bit, but I'm not going to tell anyone. Oh ... oops!

Bonnie, I'd love to get my hands on some basswood but actually I'm getting to like pine a bit. I really like the grain. I wanted to paint them but I'm beginning to think it might be a shame not to show the grain. It can be quite difficult to stop it splitting, but I'm getting used to it. Once you know where it will 'probably' happen it can be used to your advantage. I got rid of some good sized chunks that way.

Simon, I'm afraid to say I had to google 'Toss the Feathers'. The first video to come up was from The Corrs. It may be a far cry from what you were thinking of, but it's actually quite good, even with the volume turned down! I think I have found a subject for the fiddle player and tin whistle player. "But it's for research dear! Ouch"

I have another 8-10 pieces cut for the other band members, so a uke player may well get an audition. Pipe n all.

Rooster.

[Dan Wegiel]

Great job Rooster! Can't wait to see the entire band.

Dan