Paint or not??

[tnartist05]

I carved this 20 inch in diameter X 15 inch birch log,old woodspirit using heavier chisels & mallet,earlier,it was my 1st deeper carving,then the wizard and honey bears came about. I stained and finished the wood spirit and really wasnt happy with him so I painted him Sat.

Hes painted with acrylics with a antq finish blending into the pretty grains of the natural wood.

Do you think he looks better painted or the natural wood??

Your thoughts are more than welcome. Tn~

[DADDIO]

you do such fine paint job's my friend,i'm voting fer paint!!!

[Wolf Kiessling]

Originally Posted by tnartist05

I carved this 20 inch in diameter X 15 inch birch log,old woodspirit using heavier chisels & mallet,earlier,it was my 1st deeper carving,then the wizard and honey bears came about. I stained and finished the wood spirit and really wasnt happy with him so I painted him Sat.

Hes painted with acrylics with a antq finish blending into the pretty grains of the natural wood.

Do you think he looks better painted or the natural wood??

Your thoughts are more than welcome. Tn~

Before I looked at the pix, I didn't think I would like the painted woodspirit. I have to admit, however, that, after looking at the pix, I DO like the looks of it. BUT (there's always a "but" ain't there?). wood spirits are supposed to be part of the wood so, by at least my definition, they should not be painted. So, I vote for no paint.

Having said all this, though, it is your piece and if it pleases you to paint, then by all means you should go ahead and do so......

[susieq]

Greetings TN,
What a lovely piece! He is gorgeous either way but I like the painted pictures best...maybe for the wrong reasons. He looks a bit like a father Christmas with the paint and I know that isn't what you had in mind. Really nice paint job though. For wood spirits, maybe just the antiquing?

[Thor]

Painted gets my vote. I still wish I could paint like you do.
Thor

[gene-messer]

Forrest .. you know my answer already .. Paint ! Paint ! Paint ! ...

Forrest with your natural talent for painting and carving both .. I would always vote paint ..
You can put such character in a piece with your painting alone .. so i vote definately painting ..

Gene

[bbowers]

I think even just a little bit of color adds a lot to any carving. You can really highlight the work without completely painting if you choose. That being said, I prefer the painted version - good work!

[Kenny_S]

While I do agree with Wolf that it is a wood spirit and should maybe be natural, I vote for paint. With even a little color, It brought the spirit to life.

So Forrest, all I can says is, Nicely done!

[VAwoodcarver]

Great job! I like the paint but there are times when just a stain to show off the grain is the way to go in my opinion..

[tnartist05]

Thanks Daddio,glad you liked it painted.