My 1st fish carving

[Yakkin Sam]

I had my first attempt at fish carving this weekend, this is something I've wanted to try for a short while specially with me being a fisherman.

I don't actually have any hand tools yet so this was carved with just the Arbortech mini carver, wasn't easy as the fish is only 8" but I'm pretty happy with the results considering it's my first fish. Will have another go soon, maybe a Perch.

Carved from some Pine I had sat outside.

Criticism welcome

[Mark Dellinger]

Sam,

I have to agree, he turned out pretty good and I would even say better than pretty good for your first attempt.

Safe Carving and God Bless,

Mark

[RMitchell]

Good first get some tools.
Be careful you will get hooked .
I did.
Mitch

[Yakkin Sam]

Thanks guys.

Mitch, what tools would you recommend for fish carving? I get a little confused with the amount of different tools people use!

Many thanks,
Sam

[Bob Riegl]

Outstanding first attempt ----congratulations. The next step for you is research and try looking at one or two books on the subject of "Fish Carving" and see what you can become with a little self pushing here and there and from your "On-Line Family."I think you will start to catch on and turn out finer fish carvings in droves. Don't look to super detail with scales and fin spines immediately, but eventually learn to do such techniques by reading and asking questions. Nothing wrong with using pine it works, but try a little more sandpaper and try to get smoother results and get rid of the flats. You will learn to round off we use a technique called "chasing the edges". Start off with 45 degree angles to a point where two flats meet at 90 degrees. Then after the 45 degress move to 22.5 degrees on those points etc., and you will find rounding off edges becomes easier. Your painting looks good and for me painting is an agony. So keep on and try each time criticize your own work and see if you have accomplished the changes you need to make. Perhaps maybe try and carve a few more of those Brown Trout looking at a photographic resource. Google Brown Trout and I bet you get thousands of hits from which you download some good pictures to use as references. "Doc"

[Sean R]

Real nice fish there. I really like the transition of the colors What type of fish is that?

[Yakkin Sam]

Thanks Doc, really appreciate that.

If I can find the time I'll try and carve another Trout this week and spend more time on the sanding, didn't realise there were so many flat spots until I added the paint! I'm going to buy a few books and a small selection of tools this week, there will be no stopping me soon!

Fish carving is something I'd love to master but I know that will take years, I'm ready for the long haul though

Many thanks,
Sam

[Yakkin Sam]

Hi Sean,

It's meant to look like the Brown Trout we get over here in the UK

[Sean R]

Very nice I have never fished for trout so was not familiar with the type I am a catfish man

[Merle Rice]

Hi Sam, Now that's a piece to be proud of. Keep it and mark it as your First Carving and it's a good one. Merle