New Blacksmith Carving

Thomp · #1 03-11-2006, 07:31 PM

I just thought it was time to get this little basswood 7"x2"x2" new carving a public view and hopefully get some openions on this guy...

Carolina Carver... this is your pattern from the bandsaw blank you posted while back.

my camera ran out of juce right as i was getting ready to take a few photos of his smithy..shack and i aint stopping to go to town for new batteries today...

supose to be a blacksmith , im not happy with him yet, so he's not complete by a long shot. but i was painting him today and trying to show wear on the overalls. by painting thin layers on wet surface, to show wear, but i was in to much of a hurry or humidity is up, so i painted a darker coat of cobalt thinned color then sanded wear spots in, and then colored them with a very light wash of liberty blue.

his boots were painted raw umber i sanded wear and painted them with golden brown in some of the wear spots i made, I kinda like that effect as makes the boots appear tto be worn and even look a little muddy...

"I know he shoud be wearing a muel hide apron" dark with wear around the belly & thighs and coal dust.
but this guy apperently has got to be ending up, or just starting the day... cuz he aint wearing one.....

maybe ill change his profession to farmer if the smithy shop turns out better.
and then carve a blacksmith with a apron.. later,

present problems:
i got some blead over, in blue in the hair and overall sholder straps, so i cant go with a light color shirt as i was going to try..
there is still a little tweaking around the eyes, im thinking of smoothing and painting them on. ?

under the arms by the bib of the overalls i cant get into that tight area properly with any tool i have to smooth that place out.
the effect i was going after was loose fitting bib. but now im stuck with a probobal dremel and bur job to clean up that area as well as the front pant pockes area and a little micro detail in the hands.

openions welcome please

Kenny_S · #2 03-11-2006, 07:36 PM

Looks good Thomp and he looks tired. Hmmm, to many horse shoes or being kicked by one or tow.

Very nice.

Thomp · #3 03-12-2006, 12:18 AM

found batterys'
so heres a glemse into the blacksmith shop, stage....

Hopefully i have made the shop as to where i can use it for a stage in the future for other carvings
the walls are 9"x9" si it should be 9" cube when done.
and im working on a roof structure its all take apart construction,

wonding what colors to use for white wash, then for aged wash..

mwilleson · #4 03-12-2006, 11:53 AM

Looking good Thomp. I think your shop portrays a cosey atmosphere and the blacksmith looks natural in there.

Mark N. Akers · #5 03-12-2006, 08:05 PM

Greta job on the carving and painting of the blacksmith.

Thomp · #6 03-12-2006, 11:41 PM

Mark & Mike,
thanks for the kind words.
The little feller and his shop are still not done.

he needs more paint'n he's not got a bit of color in shirt becuse of work needed in the bib to armpit area., I cant decide of a color yet.. either
not to happy with the denim color it keeps comming out powdery texture,

the red - raw umber wash, hair color, i think it makes him look better than brown but it didnt cover the blue from where i painted the hat it spread across the hat to head border in the back,,, so hes a little punker.

I did get out to cut several pine 1"x4"x8's up into small "1/8 x 1/2" x10" boards and 3/4 x 1/8 x12"th for roof & wall structure and other buildings ill be making. and 1/2"x1/2 x 10 for fence posts and porch framing...
usinf 1/8th or 1/16th dowell or shisch kabobsticks(?sp) for railings and balasters.

think i need to make a millright and a saw mill where i can store all the lumber in the town now.now.

thinking the saloon - bordello - no tell-hotel is next.
but i dont have any ideas for the fluseies yet..."if i build it ...... they will come" i guess?

don · #7 03-13-2006, 01:52 AM

Nice work, I like the rolled up sleeves. He must have taken his apron off he looks like the end of a hard days work to me. Don

Thomp · #8 03-13-2006, 02:07 AM

thanks don,

but i think i got some bad news for the current blacksmith,
im going to put him back to farming, i drawed up a plan for a blacksmith with a split legged ferriers apron today..
maybe i can keep this ones leggs in better proportune to the body.

but, i did like the fun carving the rolled up sleeves though...

don · #9 03-13-2006, 10:15 PM

The Poor Guy, fired for not wearing his apron! How's he going to explain that to the missus out at the farm? He might as well pick up the guitar in the back of the shop and go on the road, many a country song started with less of a storyline.

Thomp · #10 03-13-2006, 10:48 PM

well don,

i would think the mrissers. would be happy to have back on the place slopping them hogs milking the chickens and gathering them cow eggs....... HAW~!

he's got a crop to get in, and woods to clear.... shes tired of choppin the firewood.......... he's got a lot of long days ahead of him.