Completed my 2nd Carved cypress knee

[karen57karen]

I've finally completed my 2nd carving. Again a cypress knee with a whimsical face on it. I just used stain and antiquing before the finishing. It turned out okay, but still not exactly as I envisioned it. Please give me any constructive feedback or criticisms because I am new to this and would welcome any advice. I'm having fun doing this.

***UPDATE*** I have actually sold my carving! It's the first carved piece of art for me to ever sell and I got $100 for it. I am SO excited and thanks again for everyone who gave me feedback.
Karen

[tnartist05]

I like that cypress knee carving, seems real with the great details you carved in it.Plus your finish is excellent!!

Just a all around VERY neat carving!! GOOD Job!

Tn~

[Gear Dog]

Very nice work I agree the finish is great.

[Sharon of the Dell]

he's really good,only constructive feedback,I have is to keep carving.

[Marci MN]

Oh my.. he's beautiful! That finish you have on him just makes one want to reach out and touch it. You have a great style going on there.

[doris]

this is a very nice carving. i like the more stylized version you have given the face, and beard treatment,... as for the critique you ask, or advise, i dont see what you wanted achieve. you said, the carving is not exactely like you envisioned it, if we knew a little how you wanted have it, we can possibly give some advise how you can try to achieve that in your next carving... without knowing this, all i can say is, that is a beautiful work, and to me its strength is the clarity of its design, and the strong clean lines and shapes... well done :-)
just curious, how did you work ? with powertools and then sanded ? or with chisels and gouges and then sanded ? or ... ?

[Irishman]

How can you critique a carving that turned out so well. As Doris said, if you wish to share what you were going for...we could give some tips from what we have learned. As it is right now, its a very nice carving so I wouldn't change a thing.
Patrick

[TOEKNEE]

DANG!!!! my 200th carving is not as good as your second, nice, nice, nice!!!

[whittleguy]

The only advice I can give is to KEEP CARVING!!! You have a very unique way of carving cypress knees. The results are fantastic. I really like the stylized approach you use. And the finish makes you want to reach out and touch it.

You said this was not what you had envisioned. Just keep carving and experimenting and before long your carvings and the pictures in your mind will closer. Until then, look at all the really great cypress knee carvings you will have.

Keep up the good work!

[karen57karen]

quick response back to Doris: I mostly used a big gouge to get started and the only power tool I used was to achieve the first stop cut along the hairline. Otherwise, it was all hand tools. Thanks to all who have responded with the kind words and I do plan to keep carving. When I stated it wasn't exactly as I envisioned, I was mostly referring to the proportions and probably his facial expression. I seem to have a problem achieving the facial expression that I'm trying to get. But I love carving and thanks again.