free hand

[rasente]

I just started carving last fall and I am still figuring it out (I started with a small peice of fire wood and a utility knife) I am trying to do some small animals: Turtlles dogs. . . Right now I just start with a block of Bass wood but have not tried any patterns. I didn't even know there were patterns. does anyone else carve free hand?

[Mottles]

Hi and welcome, there are a lot of folks on this site who carve free hand. As for me I carve from my drawings, patterns, and reference images. What ever I need at the time is what I use.
Kathy

[Joy]

I carve small things without a pattern, but anything larger than my fist I use either a purchased pattern or one I create. Whatever you use....just enjoy creating.

[rasente]

Mottles, I followed your links, Truley amaving works. I see that type of end result in my head but it never quite gets there. I have done some tree spirits and santas and a couple of turtles so far. I had not considered taking pictures, I will have to start. I have given away most of what I completed so far.
-Rich

[kitaye]

Everything I carve is freehand, short of sketching a general shape on one side of the block. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it turns into something completely different.

[doris]

hi rasente, i too carve everything freehand as you call it. to me, that is more fun than using someoneelses pattern (i have tried that once, and found it too restrictive). carving freehand gives you freedom to carve exactely what you want ! i think your choice is perfect. :-)

[Ron T]

Hi Rich, all my sticks are carved free hand and most of the time I don't even bother with a drawing.