Asian face in Walnut

[Irishman]

This is the second project I did during a carving retreat. It is my second time carving walnut...and it has not got any softer! I wanted to try an Asian (Japanese) style face for something different. The picture I used showed a Japanese face with a very small mouth, heavy eyelids, and a broad slighly upwards turned nose so I hope you can see this in the carving. The style is very smooth so much of the time was sanding and sanding. The face is approx. 10-12 inches. This is the first time using a paste wax so she really has a nice sheen. The wood is that hard that the inside of the iris (can't see from picture) was marked in by my instructor using an ingraving tool....something I didn't think you could use on wood - another lesson learned. I posted a few progress photos. Hope you like her.
Patrick

[Josef]

Very, very nice. I like the features you chose to produce and I love the grain in that timber. Yes Walnut is very hard, isn't it? Joe.

[Dicky]

A very nice piece. It is amazing what tools can be used in different applications. I was amazed to discover that small wood gouges work well on bone.

[Mr. Chips]

Very nice carving Patrick.

Randy

[Irishman]

Thank you fellas. Ahhh, I see that you have experienced walnut Josef...yes very hard wood, and Dicky - its right up there with bone. Be ready to sharpen your tools often. My instructor has broken gouges on walnut so one has to be careful.
Thanks for viewing this carving.
Patrick

[Ron T]

Hi Patrick,

Another great carving, another great face. I think I dated her when I was younger. LOL!

[mpounders]

Very nice! She is beautiful....really like the eyes and hair. Impressive!

[JoeVM]

Beautiful job on a beautiful piece of wood. How thick is the wood?

[Irishman]

Thanks Ron, Mike and Joe.
Joe, the wood is perhaps 3 inches thick at its highest point.
Patrick

[tnartist05]

Very nice Patrick! You got your moneys worth with the lessons. Keep up this neat carvings cause Im enjoying them.

Forrest