My Wizard (based on Shawn Cipa's pattern)

[Dan C]

Here are some pictures of my wizard that I just finished. It's based on Shawn Cipa's wizard in his book "Carving Fantasy & Legend Figures In Wood" published by our very own Fox Chapel.

Painted with acrylics, then sealed with 50/50 BLO/turpentine, then sprayed with Krylon 1311. It stayed sticky, and I wiped off the stickiness with lacquer thinner, and then put some Howard's Feed-N-Wax on it. There was a whole thread on this in the Finishing area below. I DON'T recommend that others follow this finishing method!

The staff was carved from walnut that I got from Lowes. Shawn's wizard was somewhat stylized. I chose to make mine more realistic (hopefully). I didn't do pleats on the underneath cloak as Shawn did, but simply made both cloaks flowing in the wind.

There are 2 other Shawn Cipa wizards in the gallery area that I could find, in case you are interested in seeing a couple of others.

Comments are very welcome, especially those that could help me improve my carving.

I have 6 pictures to post, so I'll put 3 here, and follow with another 3.

Dan C.

[Dan C]

Here are the other 3 pictures. Also, after I posted the 1st set of 3 pictures, I realized that I created this thread in the wrong area. I wanted it in the General area. I'll be sending BobD a note asking him to move the thread. Sorry about that!

Dan C.

[xsailer]

I also did one of these Dan and enjoy doing many of Mr. Cipa's ideas. I like the movement of the robes and especially the brown color.

[Riverman]

Dan, he looks great! I like the detail and the finish looks good.
Bob

[Curtscarving]

Dan-Like the way you did carving looks better to me and the one I did. Your carving is very good. Curt

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Dan, those are excellent, great detail. I will have to try one.

Dave

[Dan C]

Hmmmmm - I had a reply all typed out and ready to send, and it just kind of went away. Wonder what key I pressed? Oh well, I'll try again.

Thanks all for your kind comments! It was a fun project and I learned a lot about what to do and what not to do.

xsailor (Bob), Curtscarving (Curt) - Did you post pictures of your wizard? I didn't see them when I did a search, but might have missed them. I understand that we don't always post pictures of everything we do, but thought I'd ask, because it's always nice to see what someone else has done with the same basic pattern.

Curt - Loved your Shawn Cipa dragon, and looking forward to that project myself.

Bob - Thanks for your comment on the flowing robes. That was a creative and fun part of the project. I can't take full credit for the brown and blackish outer robe color. That kind of developed as I put the finish on.

I painted the outer robe with Payne's Gray acrylic, and a more concentrated solution in the valleys. When I put the BLO and Krylon 1311 on, much of the more diluted gray went away leaving black in the valleys of the folds and a dark brown wood showing through on the peaks. It wasn't what I expected, but I liked how it looked also, so all is well.

Dan C.

[scooter]

I like how you did his face...

S~

[Kenny_S]

ery nice piece Dan. Well done in both carving and painting.

[Merle Rice]

Hi Dan, Just an all around great piece, the flow of the Beard,and Clothing,and contrast of colors. Good job. Merle