Help wanted (Needed)

[tucker1931]

Hi all, as most of you probably know, I'm new to this great hobby (just finished my first ever wood spirit (posted under WIP). I have a new one I want to try but desperately need advice as to how to go about it. The pattern is by Harley Schmitgen (thanks Harley) it's in the new book Caricature Carvers showcase. I have wood burned the outline into a slick looking piece of pine post (the same post I did the spirit in. I'm thinking I stop cut along the lines and then take the outside down about 3/4 of an inch to allow me depth eventually for the nose. Please, advice appreciated as this is completely new to me. I'm including pic of the wood and the figure that will go on it.
Thanks
Cliff

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Looks good!

[bird carver]

I think it's great! I like the style, and of course the carving is magnificant. Bird carver

[achaundy]

Are you planning on doing it in the round or in relief? looks like a good project either way. I'm not the one who could answer your question, just curious. Skip

[tucker1931]

Hey Skip, thanks for inquiring, I guess I didn't word my original post properly. I want to do it in reloeve. If I can't get any positive response I think I'll just go ahead and wood burn and paint it. I know I can do that without messing up a great piece of wood.
Cliff

[Terry Vance]

You are correct in the fact that you have to remove some wood to make the nose the high spot of the carving. Everything else is behind (deeper in the wood) the nose. I do not know if 3/4 of an inch is enough. How thick is your piece of wood? If it is thicker, go deeper, rounding up toward the high spot, then push everything back in the wood. Should make a great carving.

[tucker1931]

Terry, thank you for comming back to me. The wood is actually 3 inches thick so I guess I can go deeper. I had a look at your album, great stuff, I had a problem trying to make the pix larger tho.
Cliff

[hobo]

Tucker, Hello Looks Good.sharpen Your Tools And Get Going. Work It Out In Steps. I Always Hog The Wood Out FRIST Then Work Your Way Up. Slow Not Fast You Know What Looks Right. If You Can Draw You Should Be Able To Work This Out . You Can Do This . Get A Scrap Pcs And Try A Little Or Work It Out In Clay.
Hobo

[Terry Vance]

Tucker 1931,

Thanks for your comments about my stuff. The first picture of the marionettes is an avatar and will not get any bigger. The rest should show bigger to the left of the thumbnails.

I believe you will like your results if you go a little deeper into the wood. Like Hobo said you can do some clay work or practice on a piece of scrap. Just don't get in a hurry and get ahead of yourself. I took a class this past spring with Marv Kaisersatt and he practices on scrap and works every piece in clay first.

Good luck with your carving and be sure to show your progress. As well as the completed piece.