Fisherman Wood Spirit

[lhow2000]

Hello,
Would someone be able to give me some tips on how to improve this fisherman I am carving. I would like to carve the sou'wester more realistic with some wrinkles and stuff but am unsure how to do this.
Thanks, any help would be appreciated.

[carver33]

I kinda like the way he looks now. It has an interesting low relief look, and would do well with a light color wash.

Some suggestions that I would propose:

Lower the nostrils a little, the point of the nose should be more prominent.

I'm not sure where you're going with the mouth, but for a beard and mustache that full, the upper lip would be mostly or entirely covered.

I, personally would blend the lower part of the mustache into the beard, but this is not entirely necessary.

As for the wrinkles, light, wide gouge cuts will create some flow to the Sou'wester. Search Google images for some samples.

Hope this helps and I hope that you get some further suggestions from some of the other experienced carvers - and remember, these are suggestions and one person's opinion - feel free to use or ignore at your discretion.

[oldbearx2]

I agree I like him now. Maybe a little more texture to the beard, but otherwise very cool.

[lhow2000]

Thanks for the tips, I think I will do some of your suggestions and see how he looks. I am new to this so any help/tips are very helpful.
Thanks, Leonard

[sashadoc]

Go to the top of this page and click on "techniques". Look about three down.

Tim

[Buffalo Bif]

I like him, wouldn't change a thing. Let us know how the wrinkles/folds work out

[highlakejohn]

Ditto!! I like him the way he is. Very nice work.

[lhow2000]

Thanks again. I am waiting for a new set chisels, then gonna try some folds in hat and paint him. Will post some new pics then.
Leonard

[lhow2000]

Heres another couple pics of spirits I have completed. I just started wood carving after Christmas but have been power carving moose antler few years. Love carving with the chisels, much nicer than with power. All carved from bass wood.
Leonard

[lhow2000]

Heres my fisherman painted. I took some of Carver 33 advise and lowered nostrils a little and removing top lip. My problem now is the hat. Anybody got any suggestions on how I can add more paint to hat to make it look better? I usually seal the carving at this point and then mix a little water with a darker paint and paint over every thing and wipe off to show creases and wrinkles more.
Thanks, Leonard