Cougar finished

Donna_T · #11 10-09-2006, 10:05 PM

Mark,
I think your cougar was a great first animal carving. The bone structure and muscle group for the back legs and hips looked pretty good. The front legs and head is what needs closer study. Studying photos of cougars in various poses will be a big help to your improvement efforts--especially the head. Like carvings of birds and people, the most noticed feature is the accuracy of the head....shape, proportions, colors, etc. Aside from what has been mentioned, the thing I noticed was the eyes appear to be oversized compared to the size of the head. Try using a 1/8" veiner to put hair on your next cat and then highlight it with light woodburning before painting.

Regardless, don't get discouraged. It's a great first effort. My first animal carving didn't resemble the real thing very much. And you know what? It's a carving that you'll cherish as you continue to try other animals and improve with each one. Keep trying.

Donna T

masker001 · #12 10-09-2006, 10:24 PM

Just want to thank you all for your insights,suggestions and encouragement.I will either try to fix up the cat or do another one using your suggestions.At present,I,m working on a charging moose,a dolphin,an old man and a mexican sun god.Perhaps I should just work on one project at a time and try to perfect a style.
Again,thankyou very much.
Mark F.

AlArchie · #13 10-11-2006, 09:53 PM

Mark, have you given any thought to doing a pice like this in a natural hardwood like tiger maple of a nice figured birch. Boy, that would be pretty!

Nice work as it is, though!

Al

whitecree · #14 10-13-2006, 08:01 AM

Good first effort!

Leave the cat as is, and start in on another one. As things stand, the cougar looks pretty decent. The best way to improve - if you want lifelike - is to dig up as many photos of cougars as you can, and study them. Study cats in general, watch how they move. Even the common housecat moves a lot like a cougar or other big cat. Knowing how they move will help you figure out how their muscles work, and how they must look as they work.

Hey, Winnipeg has a pretty good zoo, so get on down to Assinniboine Park and visit the cat cages.

And why concentrate on one thing at a time? I myself usually have nine or a dozen things on the go at any time. Working on one piece helps provide insight on how to proceed with another piece.

Colin_Partridge · #15 10-13-2006, 09:19 AM

I agree with Whitecree dont change a thing if you do you will be sorry. I like the carving, you can certainly see it is a cougar. Now take the advice from this thread and try another one you will be amazed how much better you will like it.
Colin

masker001 · #16 10-13-2006, 10:55 AM

Now Thats What I,m Talkin About!!!The people on this forum are so great.They take the time to critique and offer suggestions,solutions and give the newbies the benefit of all their combined experience.Way ta go guys and gals.I take my hat off ta the lot of ya.
Mark F.

fishcarver · #17 11-01-2006, 11:31 PM

Good Job.........i did this same project in black walnut a few years back and you'rs is better, how to improve, keep carving, that's all you need to do, each project will be better even if you don't think so you will learn each time you pick up your tool becasue you want to do better, go for it and another thing never leave a carving undone becasue you get discouraged, there is something to learn in all phases of the work so finish it hide it if you want and look at it later on and you will see how much better you are, thanks for sharing.......

Colin_Partridge · #18 11-02-2006, 06:01 AM

I also like what you have done I couldnt have done any better believe me. Having said that I would have to agree with Nancy and of course she is the expert on animals and Hugh Hefner

. It just seems too round when I look at it but that is probably because there is no hair detail. You should see the duck I tried to burn feathers on looked more like my quilted Santa. Over all nice job you should be proud of it.
Colin

Robert Cahill · #19 11-07-2006, 04:03 PM

Believe it or not that is the first animal I carved. My ears were too pointed and the face was wrong by the mouth. Yours is much better. I enjoyed doing other projects in her book as well. I have never been able to stick to one project or one style either. I might be a better carver if I did but I'm more content this way.
Robert

Lindy · #20 11-28-2006, 02:40 PM

Hi Mark,

That is a good first effort. I have carved that pattern as well and to give you a couple of other ideas on how to detail it, I'm including a couple of photo's.

What I have found is that if you repeat the carving right away you will improve it significantly because you are now more aware of the detail. The first two photo's are my first attempt not only at carving, but also carving this pattern. The next two are my second attempt.

I hope this helps and welcome to the forum and carving! Keep up the good work!