What Style Of Carving Do You Enjoy Most?

[gordo]

i have only been carving for about a year and a half and i like to try it all . i suppose i will chose a special kind some time but for now i like it all.

[Mottles]

1. Why did you get started in woodcarving?
2. How did you start?
3. What style are you currently carving?
4. How did your journey take you to that style?
5. Do you plan on switching it up any time soon?

1. I did some clay sculpting, but didn't want to make the investment into a kiln. So I thought why not try my hand at doing the same thing only with wood.

2. On my own reading books on the subject, Online woodcarving sites such as WCI. Bought a Stubi bench knife and some Poplar (hard stuff)

3. Realistic western subjects and realistic reliefs

4. Just always knew that is where my interest lies.

5. NO, only to strive to do better with each carving I do.

[Robson Valley]

Banging away with a 30oz lead core mallet on a 9/15 gouge. The chips don't go more than 6 feet. Listening to the tools and supplies falling off the workshop shelves. Laugh and keep swinging. What a great evening.

[AL...]

Wont call myself a carver Im more a whittler.
Just now Im realy into making spoons and Bowls ... Hook knives are a real joy to work with (once ye learn to sharpin them that is)
Just now Im workin on a peice of wood I found down in the park Making a big Bowl out of it Or trying to any way.
Will put up some photos soon.

Cheers
AL

[STAR]

I posted my response exactly twelve months ago ( almost ) the 12 th it was. I had just started and strangely what I wanted to achieve since that date I have and given a lot awy to friends and they have been surprised.

MY first, a Lepracaun, is, well, a first. I have put a magnet on him and he lives in my shed now. I numbered him number 1. With help from many here and Steve Reed in particular in those early months I have produced a Cowboy bottle stopper, numerous Oak barrel bottle stoppers a black Dexter Miniature cow grazing in a paddock, my Avatar ' Wally the Footballing Toad " and finally the lifesize stained Nutcracker Christmas Toy Soldier.

For a complete newbie, to do all that and have the gifts be appreciated, and I know they were, because they were something completly different to what we generally see here in Australia.

But, one thing I have realized that all these carvings took up a great deal of planing and research. Even Wally the Toad had some live models to help me get it as realistic as I could.

For me, at this point in time, I have to really draw it out, even though I cannot draw. If I do not,then the proportions are going to be all wrong and I might have to reduce the head or something to get all the subject in. I have to at least draw the outline of the form or make little lines on the wood to keep the proportions together.

I have learnt not to rush in if I hope to get a successful result. Most times, I have to put the carving away and come back when my creativity is restored. If i want to just do something I will just whittle with a utility knife or pen knife, but then the object is binned.

Chainsaw and bigger Carvings are on this years agenda.

Pete

[STAR]

Interesting to note that the O.P. created some interest in this thread with approx 45 replies over twelve months yet it looks like he came and went like Halley's Comet.

A burst of activity over a month or so then the last post on the 3rd January 2011. probably burn out.

Then again, it is surprising I am still hangin in. I had to have a few months off to get my head back on. This carving was doing it in.

Pete

[carverwood]

I love to do deep relief,,,,,