Do you think this would work?

[jillsy]

OK, I'm over my wood carving frustration and want to try again. This time though, I'm requesting opinions before trying.

I want to carve an old woman (Mrs. Claus most likely) gathering her apron up to be filled with things.

Last time I tried bandsawing the side view, I botched the whole thing. So, I would like to just cut out the front view. I was wondering if I can then glue on a piece of wood for the apron? If I were to try and cut out the apron from the front view, I'm guessing it'd wind up taking away from her body. When I used to try and do this, the bodies were almost concave from having to dig out so much. I didn't like the look.

Do you think this would work? If I were to attach the apron piece, should I do it at the very beginning and carve around it, or try to carve out the lady first, and then add the apron on? (It seems harder to do it this way because I need to have her arms wrapped around the apron).

Not sure if I'm describing it accurately enough to fully understand, but if you DO understand, please send me any of you ideas! thanks!

[BobD]

I've seen this done many times, Jillsy! It will work. I'd add the add-on to the piece relatively early and carve as though it was one piece. If you carve too much (on the apron or the body) before attaching the apron, it usually ends up looking disjointed.

You can do a little rough shaping of both pieces before adding the apron, but I really wouldn't do a lot of shaping.

Bob

[Thor]

Hi Jillsy,
You might try forming it out of clay before you carve just to see it first. It really does help the carving process from start to finish. Any clay will do, but the oil bases stuff from art supply stores can be reused over and over. Playdoe even works!
Christina

[jillsy]

Thanks Bob! Glad to know I can take it down alittle before adding it on.

Thor, just sent you a pm about something totally different. Anyway, I don't need to make it from clay first because I'm actually taking the idea from a ceramic piece I bought at an antique shop! I was actually embarrassed to buy it because it's kind of cheesy, but I thought it'd be a great model. The one problem though is that because it's ceramic, the arms just sort of blend into the apron, not as detailed as a carving will be.

I very much want to start carving again, but don't wanna waste any more wood trying this project.

Thanks for your input.

Jillsy

[Thomp]

jillsy,
sorry probably late with this suggestion but i been to confused to put it to words with the meds still..
heres an idea on how i would tackle the cut out..

several different colors..in the attachment
red= scrap
blue=add on
notice the front view blue area, when cutting out leave this area alone, or the size of the original block,
when cutting out the side profile adjust the pattern more towards the front of the block leaving the blue area flat to better except the add on block,

[Kenny_S]

Good suggestion Thomas.

[Thomp]

i meant to mention, but missed the opportunity when i just posted before,

but when roughing out with your knife, leave the blue surrounding areas alone until you get the add on glued in place,

this allows more of a seamless or less noticeable joint between the items.. and a smoother transition,

remember strength in wood is in the length of the fibers of grain... use it to your advantage to make the finished carving stronger...