[Lindy]

Hi there,

I like to carve cougars and I have found that woodburning in the fur works really well for me. I usually go over the piece twice to get the depth I'm looking for.

Hope that helps.

Lindy

[Donna_T]

This is a little late, but here's some observations I've found in the time I've carved animals. The larger the animal and the longer the fur, the larger the veiner you can use for most of your carving. Generally you will use a smaller veiner around the face where the hair is shorter. You should make an effort to curve all your strokes whether carving or burning--this gives additional flow and motion to your animal.

When you are ready to woodburn, follow the flow lines of your carving, making sure your lines flow in the natural hair/fur growth pattern and with gravity if the hair is long. Follow the "valley" of your carving strokes, but cross over the "peaks" in random spots.

Another hint that I learned from animal carver, Debbe Edwards, is that instead of carving your project smooth with a knife and then going back to add the fur, go ahead and carve it with your gouges and veiners, keeping generally to the fur flow and muscle groups.

I don't burn dark when I add burning to my carving. I just want a hint of additional hairs and since I like to do washes of thinned paint to get the fur color match I'm seeking, the light burning compliments rather than overwhelms the carving. No char means less paint is needed to get the color I want.

I've posted an animal on this site about a year ago, and you can see another of my carved animals in the holiday issue of WCI (on the "hints" page.) One of the best compliments my carvings get is when people touch them and can't believe they're wood.

Just another opinion...for what it's worth.

Donna T

[GeorgiaCarver]

Just got my magazine. That is a beautiful carving! I am very impressed Donna!

I will be headed back to Joplin and Lamar for Christmas, keep it warm in Missouri for me.

[Donna_T]

Well, the way our weather goes, it can be unseasonably warm and very cold--both in the same week. It was 18 three days ago and 40 today. Still better than our daughter in Vermont who got 18" of new snow yesterday! Whooeee.

Thanks for the kind words about my carving. You have a safe trip back to our neck of the woods. And have a great Christmas.
Donna T

[Kenny_S]

I am heading to joplin this morning! Love Joplin and almost retired there but the little bride said I had to pack up the grandchildren also. That in itself isn't bad, but Me thinks she also meant the grown children also. Love them, BUT,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Hmmm, Maybe the grandchildren and leave her with the grown kids!