Elk & Canoe

[Ron Davidson]

Well I have been working on this one for quite some time but finally have finished. All I have to do is put on some more danish oil and sealer. If you remember this is the peice I was working on during the interview. The antlers on the bull Elk were pretty touchy because of the cross grain but I am happy with the results. There was also a loose knot that popped on the neck and I had to send the piece back to Garry to see if it could be salvaged and it was you can probably see where it is. This is also the one where Susan and I were concerned about having enough wood to bring out the bull Elk. The wood is basswood 12X16X1 1/2.
Ron

[Dan Wegiel]

Looks great Ron, and it looks as though there was plenty of wood to bring out the bull Elk. Thanks for sharing, Dan

[Colin-Partridge]

As usual another fantastic piece Ron. You really are very good at what you do. I think that if a sighted person could do half as well it would be good. For someone that has no sight you sir are amazing. BTW I have found two of those chisels I was talking to you about I know there is one more somewhere as soon as I located it I will send them all along to you.
Colin

[Irish]

Ron, love the depth and texturing.

My eye goes right to the reflection of the cattails by the left hand tree. I would really like to see that same type of reflection and water movement v-gouge work for the end of the canoe. If one area is reflecting the other area will also.

The perspective inside the canoe is perfect. I could sit on the board seats of that canoe and have lots of room for my feet. I would like to see a little more texturing as knot holes in the birch bark on the sides.

The depth of the bull elk's antlers is great. You might want to check the space along the right side of his next. Right now it looks like his neck reaches back to touch the canoe. That would make the elk neck about 6 feet deep. You might want to use the area or space as water between the canoe and the elk.

As always your trees and leaves are wonderful!

Great job so far.

Susan

[Ashbys]

Ok ,

Ron, remember your dog carving. There is nothing flat on an animal. I think I ill make you a few acorns to carve. I think the canoe looks pretty good but I have an advantage on this on , I saw it in process. I think it is still just a bit forward, which is causing the shadow between the buck and the boat to be a bit heavy , since now your playing with something you can't feel , I will do my best to describe the issue.

The buck is only slightly in front of the bow of the boat. Because we had to go deep to remove the knot that shadow is falling behind the boat edge instead of in front of it as it should to show the buck is forward.

As it is now , it looks like another step the buck will be in the boat. Your trick will be to move the front of the boat without distorting the image. There is plenty of wood there to move it in , but when you do you will change a lot more than just the canoe to buck perspective.

The flow lines Susan suggest is a great idea it will highlight the water but if you add the water ripple there make sure you add it to the bucks legs as he is standing the water as well and the current would give a little ring effect at the legs.

Now I will go back to my hole Cheers .

Garry

[Bartster]

ron,


looks great the whole peice is great, keep up the good work.


bart

[squbrigg]

Great work Ron. What a great relief scene, very well executed!

Bob

[Ron Davidson]

I worked on the things Susan and I talked about as well as Garry's thoughts. I reworked the area between the canoe and elk and some on the left shoreline. I also added some reflection lines and water ripples I don't know if you can see them and the rump of the bull elk. I also took off quite a bit of wood off the canoe in the hope of moving it back some from the elk. Let me know what you think as I can try and take it back some more but like you said Garry I have to change other things when I do.
Ron

[Colin-Partridge]

Ron may I make a little constructive criticism and I am nit picking. I find that it is a signed piece except that the signature is not as delicate as the carving. It takes away a little from the carving. May I suggest you use a smaller burning pen (I take it that you burned you signature in) and use a lower heat. This is strictly my artistic opinion maybe I am wrong maybe Susan would be better qualified to comment on that.
Colin

[Ron Davidson]

Colin I use a branding iron. I will have to get the hang of it just one setting hotter than you know where.
Ron