My very first carving - The 5-min Wizard

[Joggernot]

Originally Posted by Noshtero

Actually, I was going to ask about that. Do beginning carvers often carve lots and lots of the same carving? I would think it would be good practice. My thoughts are, I can easily turn these wizard heads into ornaments by screwing a brass eye into their hats. I could make sets for friends and family for Christmas.

Then the question, where do I go next? Do I just pick another project from a magazine and start making lots of them?

You've got a month between issues, so you can make hundreds of them in that month! I'm working on the Gargac elves and have about eight carved and sanded, but, like you, am a bit afraid to paint them. For the highlights, I have found that a "wash" of a drop of black acrylic in about an ounce of water applied over everything and lightly wiped off makes the v-cuts in the beard and moustache and the "wrinkles" stand out a bit more. This is similar to Gene's antiquing of his carvings.

Joggernot

[Ed Redwine]

Nice start. Experiment with different cuts and shapes and each will evolve on their own. A sharp knife will yield shiny smooth cuts too. I tried the 5 min. wizard just to see if I could do one in 5 min. Yes, but a newcomer would just need to take his time and enjoy the ride.
Ed

[Noshtero]

Originally Posted by Ed Redwine

Nice start. Experiment with different cuts and shapes and each will evolve on their own. A sharp knife will yield shiny smooth cuts too. I tried the 5 min. wizard just to see if I could do one in 5 min. Yes, but a newcomer would just need to take his time and enjoy the ride.
Ed

I crank them out in about 45 mins or so

[Wyobulldog]

The great thing about using the wizards to develope skill is you can change them up a bit, I have taken the base and made pirates, I posted here. And need to photo my recent batch of western folk from the same basic idea. Even slapped a couple triangles together to create a knife cover.

The fun never ends!

[susieq]

Noshtero, you have made a great start!!! Keep your first carvings handy and one year from now, pull them out and compare them to your most recent piece. YOu will be amazed at your progress. We all are. Day by day you don't notice it so much but down the road, when you look back, it really hits you. Keep going. great job.