[Thomp]

Originally Posted by mwilleson

Eddy,

I'm certainly not an expert, but here is something you can try. The leg is a great place to start - when you get ready to shape the leg, force yourself your to make ONE very aggressive cut from the hip all the way to the foot...no stopping in the middle.

These big aggressive cuts have a distinctive "feel" to them and once you've felt it, you know what you need to do. After you know the feeling, then focus on that feeling for each cut and avoid the temptation to go back and tinker.

I think that's the hardest part of flat plane, is avoiding the urge to tinker with the surface you've created and to try and make it look a bit more realistic.

Again, I claim no expertise beyond 4 flat plane carving attempts. My .02 is worth about half that.....

Mike,
I would like to try your pattern if its ok,
i dont know if i can accomplish it but from all the flat plane carving iv seen, its the one so far that i think i might be able to carve.. because maybe it will fit a block of basswood i already have.. ha!

its just all that simple choppiness that makes it look like it was carved with a big ole hunting knife i dont think ill be able to contain my hands to round out the features.
thomas

[mwilleson]

Originally Posted by Thomp

Mike,
I would like to try your pattern if its ok,
i dont know if i can accomplish it but from all the flat plane carving iv seen, its the one so far that i think i might be able to carve.. because maybe it will fit a block of basswood i already have.. ha!

its just all that simple choppiness that makes it look like it was carved with a big ole hunting knife i dont think ill be able to contain my hands to round out the features.
thomas

Of course....can you get what you need from the picture?

Just force yourself not to tinker with the texture you create. You'll feel it when your gettin' it. You can just hear that knife slicing (be sure to we your glove since your taking aggressive cuts!)

[Thomp]

Of course....can you get what you need from the picture?

Just force yourself not to tinker with the texture you create. You'll feel it when your gettin' it. You can just hear that knife slicing (be sure to we your glove since your taking aggressive cuts!)

i think i can get it with the pics, i had to tinker with the side view a little, as you can see from the attachment
the hard part was tinkering with the printer to get the ratio out right, it took 3 printings to get it to fill the block..

it helps to know the size of the block i was so convinced it was 2x3/4x4"

tuns out 1-1/2"x1"x 4"
well lets see what happends, i got all my finger guards in place and my glove on, and a fresh box of micky mouse band aids right here on hand,
thanks for the use of your pattern

thomas

[Thomp]

6am sun morn,

my result pretty round for flat plane, just couldnt help myself....

Click here for all 3 pics


thomp

[Eddy Smiles]

Thomp and Mike... Any problem if I try my hand at it also? Thomp's sketch plus the photo's provide an excellent tutorial.

[gene messer]

Wow .. Thomp .. You did great .. See With a little encouragement from Mike .. You guy's are making me envious of how quickly your learning ..
My first attempt's looked like kindling wood ..
Thomp .. Falt plane does'nt mean you cant round something off a little bit .. It just mean's that the cut's are more of long straight cuts to accent that their carved with a knife ...
You guy's are both on your way to doing great work .. I can see that for sure .

[mwilleson]

Looks good Thomp!

Did ya' feel the big cuts? That's my favorite part!

Go for it Eddy! We're all in this for fun and learning.

[Thomp]

the picture i added was just outlined irfranview software trick with cut and paste included of mikes original
i dont own nothing its all on mike. . . . . .Ha! but if my permission is needed to keep it leagle .. its given freely
thomas

http://picasaweb.google.com/thomp51L...danavianEffort

dang site is messing with me and pictures but you can see them there above
i got 14 posted little difference between them except small efforts identified.

[Joy]

Good job, Thomp. I like the big scowl. He has a real attitude! I just can't keep from nibbling all those sharp corners off....guess that's why I don't do that style.

[Thomp]

joy i left him with pointy folds in his pants and creases that would cut your finger but couldnt figure out how to make a fat belly without some roundness to it,

and the right hand pocket didnt turn out right..

but its a fight with your inner child to keep from rounding the flats off after carving all them santas and cowboys i done..

but you know if a person could get use to their method and tools it wouldnt take long for somebody to make a stack of them folks... for the tourist trade...

im looking for one of a dumpy woman to do so i can say its of my wife.. ill teach her.... durn it anyhow...