Carving Hair on a Buffalo

[Gergie]

Hi, I learned awhile back if a have a carving question this is the place to come. I'm carving a buffalo in Butternut. I want to leave the back natural finish, but want to burn the hair in the front. My question is what is the best method make the deeper hair lines? I've burned hair into previous buffalo carvings, which looks OK but seems to be missing something. I'd apprecieate any feedback you people may have. I have tried to use a V tool and wrecked the carving so I shy away from that method. Thanks,

I have never attempted a Buffalo, or much less tried to carve hair on one; but that won't stop me from offering advice.

I believe the hair would never appear real if it did not reflect the musculature lying below it. I wouldn't discount all V-tools, some have a smaller included angle and will give you shadows that are hard to duplicate with a woodburner. I have a 24 degree V-parting tool for deep fine cuts.

Another suggestion would be to layer your hair lines to create a more natural look.

While I am on a roll here, try shorter hairs and be sure to slightly stagger their origin.

To prevent any hair surface from appearing flat, after you have textured it once with a V-tool, go over some areas again with the same tool to create added depth to the hair.

[Callynne]

Gergie, try using a thicker woodburning tip. I use the GR tip when I want to burn heavier lines (thanks to Nancy G's recommendation).
All the things I have read suggest using a V-tool to make the first patterning cuts, since you're reluctant to do that using the thicker tip then changing to the finer one to burn the rest of the hair might work perfectly for you.
Of course, what Rick said is very important, change the length of the 'hair' and be sure to make them overlap and cross over in places, like natural hair would. Good luck! Callynne

I think the hair that you are referring to is the knarly (sp) stuff on the head. This is thick fur/hair, is usually thick and matted. What I did was use a couple sizes of round diamond balls to make divots in the head, some deep, soome shallow. Then you turn the burner on very high and stick it in the divots (I used a thin detail mater handpiece) and break the walls between divots. The lines appear as the hair and the divots make the knarly fur. Keep working it alot. Mine looked like I threw it in the fire pit when I was done. Take a brush and clean off the excess char. Go over it agian and make sure you get all the surface. I agree about making the deep fur cuts like under the chin and along the neck. These are thick and hanging -- make them look that way. I painted it with VERY watered down paint. Several thin washes, maybe 8-10. Started with an ugly yellow orange and then got darker. The lighter color shows underneath to create nice highlights. After you are content with the color, then you can LIGHTLY drybrush some white across the fur and hair lines. Then I finish with several light coats of tung oil. Not to thick as you don't want it shiny but this will restore some of the moisture back in the wood.

[Donna_T]

Gergie,
I agree with the previous posts. However, I learned my animal carving techiques from Debbe Edwards and she never NEVER uses a v-tool to texture hair...only veiners and gouges. After carving animals for 8-9 years, I've learned that the shorter the hair, the shallower (if any) gouges strokes and the shorter and straighter the burn strokes. The longer the hair, the deeper and more curved strokes with both carving and burning. And it is important to stagger, overlap, cross over, and curve those lines.

You don't have to char the wood to burn hair texture into it and even though you are using butternut and planning to leave the carving natural, you can lightly stain the darker parts to achieve contrast but still allow the wood grain to show through. I like the knarly effect that Pamela describes and will have to try that next time myself.

Donna T

[Gergie]

Thank You All, I knew I'd get some great advice here. You people are GREAT!!!. It looks like I'll be doing some trial and error on some scrap pieces of Butternut and see which technique I will be able figure out. By the way I read your imput I may combine several of these techniques. I hope to have the Carving ready for a local Art Show in March. I'll let you know how it turns out. Again Thank You...

[jamesfa]

if you can get a hold of wood carving illustrated issue #7 spring/summer1999. there is a step by step guide to carving buffalo hair. the procedure is much like that described by Donna T.

[Gergie]

Hey Thanks, I just looked in my treasure chest and I have that (and every Issue) of Woodcarving Illistrated. I'm starting to cut the muscle lines in it. And will start on the Hair soon. It's looking pretty good so far. A Quote from a T-shirt I Had. 'I Wood rather be Carving'. Thanks for all your help.... Gergie,

[jamesfa]

glad you found the issue of wood carving illustrated.
don't forget to your buffalo when your done

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

You reallly think you could get a buffalo to stand still for that? ???