Santa Bust from Mark Akers DVD

[cgm]

I just finished this Santa bust from the Santa Bust DVD by Mark Akers.
I enlarged the profile photo that came with the dvd by 200%. I used that pattern to cut out my blank on the band saw. I would watch a small part of the dvd, then go carve that, then watch a little more and go carve that. I learned a lot from the dvd even though I have been carving for about 20 years. The beard, hair and mustash is where i learned the most. Also on how to get the puffy cheeks and a happy face. Some one on here said to take a picture of the carving you are working on to see the flaws. That is a good tip that really works. I have done a lot different types of santas before this. This one is a big improvement over them. I plan on painting this in the near future. The total height of this is 7 3/4" Thanks for looking. I am going to post pics, "hopefully" my first time to do so.
Carl
I just got this painted. I used Delta Ceramcoat Acrylic paint. I let that dry good then put on boiled linseed oil that had a small amount of Burnt Umber artist oil mixed in. I let that dry a few minutes and dabed it dry with a paper towel. I am going to put some wax on next.
Thanks for looking,
Carl

[Mark N. Akers]

Carl:
great job,it really makes me proud to see a finished project like this,thanks so much for showing it to us.

[minowevie]

supper job Carl. Evie

[Ed Redwine]

Looks like you paid attention. Great carving and a credit to the teacher.

[vacation212]

very good job.

[Merle Rice]

Hey Carl you did a Great job,well done. Merle

[catbird]

Good Work!

[Iowa Carver]

Excellent job. I found the DVD and the instruction top notch. I still have the project to do but I will get to it soon!

Corey

[cgm]

Thank You,
Corey, Catbird, Merle, Vacation212, Ed, Evie and Mark for the kind words. I could not have done it without people like Mark, who pass along what they have learned.
Carl

[cgm]

I added the painted Santa bust that I finally got painted to the original post.
Thanks,
Carl