Life size carving

[big_Wayne_P]

I have been thinking about doing a life size carving.
You know like a
Wooden Indian
Cowboy
Woman

Ok, think you got the idea. I may never do it just been thinking about it.
So here is the questions.
What type wood would be best?
How big a piece would I need? (Wooden indian)
Where would be able to purchase it?
I have not seen any trees big enough in my area, (have some tall enough but not wide enough)

If I got lucky and cut down a tree big enough to do this, Would it not have to dry out for at least 2 to 3 years before carving it?

Like I said right now just thinking about it.

[big_Wayne_P]

sorry about that
I did not intend for those to be smileys

whould have been wooden (I n d i a n)
and
(C o w b o y)


seems like when I spelled the words correctly the site here just put those little icons

[squbrigg]

Check out www.studiorich.net/index.html Big Wayne, is this the type of carving you'd like to try? This guy works in Walnut I believe....amaizing work.

Geez....I wonder if I could do that! Na.....my wife would kill me! Red Face

Bob

[BobD]

Roger Schroeder wrote several articles about realistic scupltor Armand LaMontagne, who worked entirely in basswood...but then, he was also painting them to look realistic...

It all kinda pertains to what sort of finish you want to put on it!

Bob

[Randy48]

Wayne, finding large material isn't easy, dried is even harder. You could always glue-up enough dimensional lumber to get the size you want and leave the center hollow to reduce weight. As to type of wood, it would be your choice, on the larger pieces I've done, I've used elm and oak, plenty of that here in Missouri.

[big_Wayne_P]

Yep that looks like what i want. I want to have a full figure
front back and both sides

would also like to try 1 of the old time cigar store (I n d i a n s)

[Alice in Wonderland]

I have done some big sculptures and I used white Pine and Ash , I certainly did not wait 3 years to have it dry I just took a picture and the chainsaw and started, if you can copy a Santa or Bird you surely could copy anything else , that is all there is,
Alice

[Old_Gord]

There was a pattern for a old time Cigar store (Native) in Chip Chats quite some time ago, not life size but large enough to enlarge to fullsize if you wanted to, maybe you would like to try a run through on one that's smaller then life size first just to work out any kinks first. Idea
Never tried one myself but I do have a pattern that you could use big_Wayne_P if you like a copy let me know.


OG

Originally Posted by big_Wayne_P

Yep that looks like what i want. I want to have a full figure
front back and both sides would also like to try 1 of the old time cigar store (I n d i a n s)

[big_Wayne_P]

Thanks Gord
maybe I should try a smaller version first

[Colin-Partridge]

Wayne.
As you know I do big carvings and I have done several native life size and bigger than lifesize carvings. You should be able to get a log from the local lumber yard. White Pine is a dream to carve with Cedar running a close second. I have never tried a bass wood log although some of it around here is really big. I do know one thing it will check probably as soon as you start carving it. If it is green it will not check as much but will check more as it dries out. I little trick I learned is to make sure when you have it carved to make sure the base of the carving is up off of the ground. This can be done easily by putting 4 small square blocks under the base of the carving to allow the air to circulate. Also to run a diagonal cut with a chain saw down the back of the carving to persude the carving to check where you have put the cut. If the log is big enough to carve a life size native it will take more than 2 or 3 years to dry out. If you want to do one with out it checking you will have to laminate boards together this will pretty well assure you that it wont check but no guarantee. Hope this has helped some and good luck with the carving if you decide to do it would love to see the final product.
ColinSmile Wink