First Human Figure

[Pudding Boy]

Well sort of human; elfin to be exact. This is my first shot at a semi detailed human.

2 questions

1.) Learned all about how my carving is still pretty amateurish and my painting is worse. When I got done I wish I hadn't painted it. Lost a lot of detail. In model railroading we often get the color to a certain point for rocks or structures etc and then use a black wash to bring out detail. Would I ruin my carving to do that now that I painted it?

2.) Now, I need criticism so I get better. Time and experience being a given where could I improve my carving?

[mpounders]

Something that I noticed on the first full "in-the-round" carvings that I did was the square-ness that I didn't get rid of. I think it's something that everyone does when they first start carving. Someone said that you should cut away any surface that was cut by a saw in order to get it more rounded, and avoid the flat spots and squareness. Yours is a good design, shows a lot of style, and some of your elements certainly get extra points for degree of difficulty! Keep looking at the different posts here and you will be surprised what you pick up and how you will learn new techniques, especially by looking at all the different styles. Some people do indeed go over their finished carvings with a darker color, generally brown, to emphasize certain details. I believe most use a stain or colored wax finish for this, sometimes shoe polish. I bet you've already got an idea or two for your next one! Santas are a lot of fun!

[uvawyo]

You have made a very good strt and Mike P has some good suggestions
The Painting isvery nice

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Great start, MIke has made some good suggestions. Some thing that really helped me was looking at all the post on the forum, and reading carving books and magazines. It will come with practice.

Dave

[lorax]

I'm with Mike on the sqare-ness. When I started, I found that I would focus on the details too soon, and I wouldn't get fdown to the organic shapes that make up the figure. If you think of the shape of what is under the coat, it is a series of rectangle, cylinders, balls, etc. that are refined into the shape of the figure. The clothing merely sits on top of the figure, so think of it from the inside out when you are looking at your piece. I also think you should antique the piece to bring out the details, but it also makes the colors more varied and natural. Personally, I put a clear coat on, then put on an antiquing glaze, then wipe off. But you can find a slew of techniques in the Painting and Finishing section. Good Job!

[Sharon of the Dell]

I think you are off to a good start also.Just keep practicing and enjoying the process!