[northerntimber]

How does everyone develop their patterns for carving?

After recently making a move from Michigan to Wyoming and getting the opportunity to see many elk and antelope during weekend trips throughout Wyoming, I have a strong want to complete an elk or antelope and want to figure out how to start a pattern.

Thanks,
chris

[BRIAN D]

Hi! Northern Timber, There are many ways to start a pattern, drawing, photo. it can be as simple as take a photo and use a program called Irfanview (Freeware) you can download off the net, turn your photo to Black&White then sillouette print & trace. Also if you do a search on this message board there is a good discussion I believe Susan Irish just did, on making patterns. Have fun carving. I'm still in Michigan hoping I'm not the one who has to turn off the lights! (THANKS! to our GOVENOR) Brian D

[oldbearx2]

If you are a carver and not a drawer? like myself there are always the "store bought" patterns. I began using them and would then modify them to make different poses or use a copier to reduce or enlarge them. Still not very good at the drawing side of it, but can sketch good enough to work up a general pattern. You can try your hand at tracing a picture or photo and then work it into a pattern. Have fun carve oldbear

[Just Carving]

If you have a digital photo taken at a high enough resolution, you can enlarge or have it enlarged, and print it out. Then simply use it as a pattern by blacking out the area on the back with a soft graphite pencil, or use transfer paper under the pattern, to transfer the image to wood for carving by tracing over the necessary part of the image. If you have the photo enlarged and printed, it could get expensive. So, after enlarging and getting it printed, you might want to make a black and white copy of it, and use that for tracing over.

[northerntimber]

Thanks for the responses. I really appreciate it.

Chris