Survey on time to carve

[blackbeard]

i am interrested in finding out how long it takes to complet a carving.
can everyone place photo and time it to complet thanks leo

[sitesby]

Leo,
I don't think I have every considered carving in a production setting before. I have started and completed carving over a weekend and then have had others last months.
It really depends on the complexity of the desired finished results. I remember one carvers saying that "you cannot put a time clock on creation".

[TreeWizard]

Well you asked for it.

First took almost 2 months.
Second took about a week.
Third took just a day each.

[doris]

now that is a question without answer... i mean, it depends mostly on what result you want to achieve. for example, i carved recently an arabian mare, and was determined to make it as good as i can (you can see her on my blog, or in gallery), and she took me 2 month... i know i could have carved a recognizalble horse in much shorter time, but then i had no chance to meet my goal...
also, it depends on if you do relief (much less wood to remove, usually) or carving in the round... first is usually quicker than the latter,,,
but, mostly it depends on your own goal you set for your carving...should it be a quick santa face, say, or do you want carve a very elaborate santa face, with realistic features, as if it were a true man clothed as santa for the kids as christmas...the first would take only a few hours, the latter probably a month, if you carve it lifesize,,,

[Thor]

I sometimes worry about how long a carving takes me, but then I have to consider the interruptions and other duties I have that prevent me putting time into it. The up side of the interruptions is that I get a rest for my hands and a fresh look at the carving when I return to it.
My 36" relief carved door crowns are a 2 or 3 week carve including the paint and finish usually depending on the details and whether I'm working on several other carvings at the same time like I am now. I can carve a fairy door in a day, and finish it the next day, but the larger reliefs can take me months.
Christina

[torpidhummer]

You know what! I just for the heck of it I started to keep my time carving on a sheet of paper after awhile I forgot to scribe the time spent so I gave it up. I guess if if I was trying to sell my work, I would be concerned with how long it took me. However since I carve for the joy,relaxation and just plain enjoyment of being retired, I just take my time. Besides I may have two or three other projects going.

Oscar

[Blackjaxe]

I have to agree with Doris, That is definetly a question with no answer or impossible question to answer. There are so many variables that come into play.....is it in the round or a relief, is it a detailed and textured carving and will it be painted, or is it a interpretive carving with a natural finish.

On a personal note my first carving took me around a month, I worked only in the evenings and for only a couple of hours. All the work was done with chisels as I did not have a Dremel or Foredom and the painting took around 12 hours and once again a few hours each evening....all totaled it probably took around 60 to 70 hours but I never kept track.

My second took less time to carve but took around 18 to 20 hrs to paint maybe even more as once again I didn't keep track of time spent. My next carving was a very detailed and textured songbird with habitat and I worked at it every opportunity but as someone has already mentioned if your looking for a deadline then maybe you should look at doing something else with your free time....that goes for everyone, myself included.

If your trying to do the best that you can with a carving or whatever else its impossible to put a timeframe in place. There are days when you just should not carve, simply because your mind is not up to the task at hand and the next day you will look at your previous attempt and just shake your head and now you have a repair to deal with.

My OPINIONS ONLY.....I mean no offense to anyone.

Ken

[doris]

If your trying to do the best that you can with a carving or whatever else its impossible to put a timeframe in place. There are days when you just should not carve, simply because your mind is not up to the task at hand...

i so much agree ...

[carver33]

The best answer I've heard for "How long did it take you to carve that?" is "One day".

... "You keep working at it, and one day it's done."

Seriously, it's extremely difficult to measure the time it takes to finish a carving. I work full time and maintain a house and lawn, so my carving time is limited. Sometimes I can carve for hours at a stretch and other times I can only manage a few minutes. I estimate that I usually spend around 20 to 60 hours on a carving, but I don't carve the same type of carving twice in a row. Each new carving I start is a new experience with new challenges.

[minowevie]

for me, well it takes me a long time to finish a project. but I am still learning, and almost everything I do I am learning, once I have something down though. then I can go pretty fast. but fast is not what I am carving for, it is the pleasure, and finished project. I guess If I had to do it for a living. I would try to just live longer, HEHE. I am much better and faster with other tools, but my knifes, well I just take my time with them. and I hate to admit it. but I use a lot of glue. just learning. Evie