Realistic figure carving..

I would really like to exchange ideas and the like with other carvers who are interested in carving Native American or other realistic carvings. I've been carving the Native American for about 7 years and would just like to hear from others interested in this subject..

Hey Woodpecker,
I've tried some native american figures. I am currently working on a Buffalo Shaman bust. It's a basswood roughout from Rossiter's. I'm still trying to decide what type of finish to use. I hope to have it finished for our clubs spring show later this month. I have finished my others with boiled linseed oil. I'm considering a stain for this one.

Hey Rando...Glad to hear from someone else interested in Native American carvings.....I use watco danish oil (natural) and thinned oil paints(mixed) and then wash my carving adding colors while the basecoat is still wet..if you'd like more info I'll write more..and you can veiw some examples of finsihed carvings on my website....Later Woodpecker

Hey Woodpecker,
Tell me more!
What color do you use for the basecoat?
Do you thin down the top coat colors? ???
Rando

[kaiserb]

I finish carvings in the same manner. The painting technique was developed in Germany I believe. The steps I use are as follows:

• Base coat the portion you want to paint with danish oil. Only coat what you can paint in an hour or so.
• Mix the oil paint with danish oil and apply to coated area.
• Let dry.
• Apply top coat 72 hours after last paint is applied.

Rando...I picked up this technique from Stu Martin...

For NATIVE AMERICAN figures

1. Â*squirt a glob of burnt seinna (1 inch long, or so) into Â*a small amount of thinner and mix until liquid. in a pint size jar, add watco danish oil (natural) about half full...and add your thinned oil paint....this is your base coat..
2. apply generously to carving with large (1 inch) brush..

ALL WORK IS DONE WHILE YOUR CARVING IS 'WET'

3. for color washes...thin a color in the same way, with a small amount of thinner... AND... mix with an amount of basecoat. Â*Apply to the desired area of the carving with a smaller brush, as you probably have a specified area to be covered with each color.. Â*(I have darkened these wash areas the Â*next day if need be...like hair areas)
Use raw umber for hair ... not black.
Other colors as desired

DRY FOR APPROX.3 DAYS.... and finish with your preferred finish...I use minwax spray polyurethane (satin).


GOOD LUCK....Woodpecker

Here's a pic of the Buffalo Shaman I just finished. What do you think?
[img]http://www.netSnapShot.com/users/5963/images/PIuwqMCoBQIAABFVzxs_5963_8.jpe
g [/img]

You can check out more of my carvings at
http://www.netsnapshot.com/pickalbum?Rando

[Bandaid]

Super job Rando, I should be so talented!

Boy, that pic's big!
Don't know how that happened.

8)Thanks for the kind words Baindaid!