Carving plan down the drain?

[Mike-in-WV]

All to many times I will have an idea in my head as to what I want my next wood spirit to look like but during the carving process that idea goes down the drain.
What I mean is that I can draw it out and start carving but then it's as if I let the wood tell me what to do and it takes over. Head Bange
Now I have a admit that I have ended up with some really good looking wood spirits that way but it sure wasn't the one I had in my mind when I started.
Is it just me or do some of you all have that problem ?Mike

[Anthony Filetti]

Mike,

If you follow Tom Wolfe's description of Spirit carving he would say that the wood is supposed to take over! (...at least that's what I get from reading his book on the subject of Woodspirits).

I also think that the grain at time does dictate how the final result will turn out, which at times will not be the way we want, for the better or sometimes worse...

[squbrigg]

Letting the wood direct your detail or show you how the finished product usually works for me in relief carving. Like you, I start with a basic idea of the scene, a ship under sail at sea, and while the ship has to be technically correct, the sea itself can be more flexable. The grain of the wood tells me the specifics of the sea's mood, and I carve the seas to match it.

Bob

[Mike-in-WV]

Thanks guys, I have never been one to copy someone elses work but I do like to get ideas from it. That being said I have seen copys of wood spirits that were really close to the original. Don't think I could do that if I had to unless it took me forever,Lol. Guess I'll just stick to the woods guidance.

[Clifford_Parker]

That is why I "freehand" all of my woodspirits. I draw two lines, one for the eyes and one for the bottom of the nose, and then simply let the wood reveal what it will as I carve the face.

[Cut_Fingers]

You guys are not alone.

I have been carving from a couple of caricature books lately & at some point, my carvigs vary dramatically from what the book is doing. Sometimes it comes out decent. Other times the piece looks like scrambled eggs.

Another thing that happened from trying to copy from the books. I got discouraged & even put down the knife for a few days. However, I have learned a lot from the books, but just can't stay with their pattern for the final details.

As I said, at first I got discouraged, but decided to go with what the wood told me to do for the details. My last piece turned out pretty good. I guess it's a hybred approach.

Some times I start with just a block of wood, no pattern, just an idea. As long as I'm having fun, I suppose no harm done!

Enjoy Carving!!! Talking

[Mitchell]

Actually, I have been thinking about this alot....even to the point of preparing notes on HOW to expand beyond the "copying from a book" attitude that most carvers use to learn. That's ironic now that I write it.... a book on how to not follow a book......

Anyway, I am much more creative than I am talented as a carver. I use carving as a means to develop my creativity. To build our skills, we need somewhat rigid instruction; however, to expand our creativity, we need to be free to change and explore without guidance.

Although to carve we should follow certain disciplines on how to use a tool, these are NOT set in stone. For example: there are many ways to make an eye in a piece of wood. Which is right? The skillful artist will use the method that best fits the situation. Not all knowledgeable carvers will agree on whether that particular eye (as carved) is the correct way to carve it. Does it really matter?

In a short summary, I don't think you should get hung up on if a carving comes out matching something exactly as pictured. The important thing is to learn something in the process. I have learned more about carving by taking a piece of wood and "whittling" until something starts to take shape - THEN deciding on what it's going to be. I call it "doodle carving".

[Hugh]

I can't do the type of carving you fellas do, but the basics are similar. I started trying to do my own thing, and when the birds didn't come out as I planned, it was a switch to patterns, and the birds still didn't come out the way I planned. I have ditched a few of them over the years, but I decided that I just had to learn to live with my lack of talent. I strive to carve and paint reality, and if my ability shows up, so much for that, its the best I can do. Mitchell said it better in his post, but I had to get in my two cents worth. And for my money, I have seen great carvings since joining this site. Thumbs Up

[Bartster]

hello all

i relate to each and every one of you i have gotten to the point in my carving where i just carve what the wood tells me or pops into my head at the time if i do use someones pattern i just carve til im finished i dont follow a certain pattern just go with the flow. this is why i do alot of carving from square blocks or use a general shape pattern and just go with it.
i agree with mitchell the important part is that you learn from it and have fun with it. that is the big key.
and also not following a certain pattern when you are finished you have an original carving.
the wood-whittler

[squbrigg]

Now "this" is a good thread! One of those "pay attention folks" kind of one.

Mitchell and Hugh have put their fingers on it. Books and instructions can only do so much, and after a while, if you try to absorb them all, they kind of cloud the issue. Carving is part technical skill, partly artistic talent and part interpretation. What I mean is this: You need basic technical skill to understand how the tools work, how wood carves and how your hands achieve what your mind wants. You need artistic talent be able to see what you are trying to achieve, weither it is a realistic piece or a creative piece. The interpretation part is being able to pull all of the options together to achieve what you want. Do you rough out with power and detail with gouges, or do you sand, or paint, or burn or use a diamond burr or....etc. Practice brings it all together, and nothing can substitute it.

The books can help teach and guide you, but sometimes they tend to overwhelm me. I recall not long ago when I ventured into a new form of carving for me.....drawing the whole pattern on the wood and then.....nothing! Stuck! What do I do now, where do I start? Then I remembered a small line from one book, "Get the general shape first, and worry about the detail after".....or words to that effect. I erased all the carefully penciled lines, and began with just the basic shape of the body. It worked.

We tend to copy other folks patterns a lot at first, but I notice that once we get some confidance in our ability we do more creating than copying. As I've progressed in carving, I've noticed the skill that other carvers display more and more. No two of Colin's spirits have the same expression, Hugh's birds feathers look so soft that you'd think they would flutter if you blew on them, Nancy's Santa's reek of character!

Sorry if I ramble....but like Mitchell, I've been thinking a lot about this lately too.

Bob