First practice wood spirit --- Feedback please

[KevinW]

Well hello everyone...this is my first post here.
A quick background about myself and why I'm here. My name is Kevin and I've always had an interest in different types of woodcarving, metal working, fabrication etc....I'm actually retired Air Force and while I was in I was a metal worker/fabricator so I knew I could do the metal side of things but never had the chance or opportunity to do anything with wood.

So, fast forward to now...May 14th 2008 I became disabled and am no longer able to do things like restore and fix up cars...
I am no longer able to work and I had to find something to do because I was making myself crazy with no hobbies. I figured I would try my hand at some wood carving. I had access to a decent set of carving tools and x-acto blades so I figured I'd put them to use. I went to the library and found some books on woodcarving and also saw the most recent issue of Woodcarving Illustrated and said...that's what I want to do...the Wood Spirit..I spent today working on my first one.
The only thing is...I don't know what kind of wood I'm working with but it doesn't seem to be a very good carving wood as it is very splintery. Also, what I did today I think is kind of small because I am not able to get very good detail in the wood without it breaking off little pieces.

So, here is a picture...I would like some feedback on what I'm doing wrong...what I might be doing right...
In the end...I love the look of the wood spirits and want to continue making some of these as gifts for people etc...help me out with some advice please...

[wildhare]

Hi Kevin,
I can't say what you're doing wrong. I am too new to wood carving myself.
Your face looks very good so far. I think the wood is holding you back.

It looks like there is a lot of grain in that wood. I found that very hard to carve because of the different (?) textures. I don't know where you are so I can't tell you what foundwoods might be easier to carve. Basswood, butternut, Tupelo are all easier to carve.

By the way welcome to the board. Keep carving. Many of us here would go nuts without it.
Wanda

[TreeWizard]

Not a bad start. I'd say you picked a very hard wood to start with, by the look of it, it could be Oak or Ash, and both carve hard.

Try to get some Basswood or if that's not available you can get some pine at the local lumber yard.

Good luck and you'll fine with a softer wood your detail will improve. I've been carving for a little over a year and haven't tried and hard wood yet.

[Al_Hillis]

Hi Kevin ,Welcome to the board. It looks to me like a piece of Oak , it also looks very dry, It is real tough to carve for your first carving, you could try spraying it with a little isoprople alcohol and water mixture , it will soften it some and be easier to carve . hope this helps you and by the way excellent start

[mpounders]

I'm guessing oak also. My first was similar in size and material, but was somewhat green. It was still so hard, that I couldn't really get the depth needed for the features, but I was happy because it looked better than I was expecting and encouraged me to try more. I learned real quick that it is more fun with sharp tools and soft wood. I haven't tried any yet, but I think you would probably enjoy cutting a woodspirit out of cottonwood bark, which can be ordered and doesn't seem real expensive, and I am guessing is pretty soft (at least softer than oak!). I having doing some Santa ornaments that are cut from square blocks, with the nose being cut from one of the corners, and I have learned some things about the noses and eyes that I think will help my woodspirit carvings. plus they're small, and don't use a lot of wood. You've come to the right spot for learning and you'll be amazed what a little practice will let you do.

[KevinW]

Well, thanks everyone for the encouragement and the advice.
As far as what type of wood I'm carving you guys are saying oak and that may very well be but to be honest I have no clue at all. It did seem pretty hard and dry as I was carving it so I may try the alcohol/water mix.
I went out back today and found some other pieces that had been cut from some trees that fell last year, but again I have no clue what they are. The only trees that I have in my yard that I know what they are for sure are Sassafras, Pine and Maple...I don't think I have any Oak in my yard.

I'm going to try these two new pieces I have and see what happens with them...maybe I'll post some new pictures

Well, again thanks for the advice so far...now....here I go...time to go make some more wood chips..

Kevin

[Agoodknife]

I Love to carve woodspirits! Anykind of wood will carve but I have learned green is the best for me. If you hollow out the back or carve a channel down to the pith it will help keep it from spliting. I also use a product called Pentacryl to help keep down splitting or checking. As far as the detail and the crumbling, that is probably rotten wood or "doty" as some carvers would say. Good lookin nose! I wish my first carving looked that good!!. Just keep your tools sharp and always go with the grain and you can carve anything!!!
Allen

[Joy]

Please order some basswood to practice on. You will learn how your tools work and discover you style of carving much easier in basswood. Then you can branch out into "found wood". Your face structure looks okay.....you just need depth which the wood is hindering.

[Blake Lunsford]

Take a look at the videos and tutorials on this web site and strive to get better each time you carve. There are some excellent teachers on here. The main thing is to try to carve every day. Also, like Joy said, order you some good basswood and try to pick up a good tool every now and then.
Stick with it! It looks like you are well on your way! Keep up the good work!

Blake

[revnate]

The best DVD I got on Wood spirits is by mark Gargac www.gargacoriginals.com .
I am only a couple years into carving so I am also new. I encourage basswood or even cotton wood bark. Both are soft. I was always afraid to go deeper to draw the nose out. Keep at it. I enjoy carving and wish I had more time to do it. It is fun though.