My First Carving Attempt

[KenC]

This is my first attempt at carving. Someday I would like to carve a mantel for my fireplace so I thought relief carving would be a good place to start.

The first leaf I accidentally broke off the raised and curled parts when I tried to detail it. I almost gave up when I read sections of the forums that encouraged people to keep on going, so I did.
Parts of the second and third leaves turned out better, I broke some parts off but was able to recover or glue them back on. I learned a lot by not stopping and pushing forward.
I just threw on some old stain, that I had, to bring out the details at this point I am more concerned with the carving and less with the finishes.

I used my Great Uncle's Barlow that he whittled with many many years ago, some of the problems that I had was the handle would hit when I tried to get into tight areas and break sections off. Also my big clunky hands would break sections off. A learning process indeed.
I am thinking about making a knife and keeping it next to my Uncles Barlow hoping his whittling experience rubs off onto it.

Please leave comments, remember this is my first ever carving and I need guidance on the things I did wrong and things I did right.

Thanks
Ken

[masso]

You did very well!
Remember that it's very easy to make some errors in the beginning!
The leaf in the center is very realistic.
Ciao da Massimo

[JimSawyer]

I'd say you did a pretty good job for using just a knife! I like the design, and you did a good rendition of it. I've never done any relief so I can't give you any pointers, but I think, for a first, it's pretty impressive. I like your undercutting, and your acorns look great. Keep carving. You've obviously got a grip on it.

[minowevie]

Ken, I would be so proud to call this my first ever carving. it is just wonderful for sure. love the punch work on the back. love the staining also. looks so old. and the lost acorn, adds a lot. love it. Evie

[vincek]

I think every carver will tell you they are always learning . Even if they carve the same thing over and over again because there is alway something different you can do to change the look of what you are carving. The main thing that you have done is to challenge yourself and completed the carving that you have started and you have .
well done and keep at it and enjoy .

[scooter]

I think it's an excellent first carving. You now have something to put on your [future] mantel. And it will also serve to show how far you've progressed...

S~

[chuckbolton]

after seeing your first "attempt." i wont show you mine-- the best thing you can do is keep carving-- you will be surprised how you advance. learn from each carving and the next one will improve-- find a mentor and have them help you to critique each piece-- and go and enter the first show in your area. most have novice classes where you will be competing with like experienced carvers. its a very nice piece-- well executed-- keep carving !!

[JimSawyer]

Oh yea, Ken...
A good idea is to put the date on the back so that in ten years from now, you can look back and know just when it all started.

[catbird]

Great first carving!

[KenC]

Thank you all for your comments.
I was on the other night getting ready to post on my thread and put up a picture on the knife I made and my computer died. I am on my laptop but I can not find the software to upload the knife pictures from my camera.
It's always something. Anyway you'll have to take my word that the knife I made turned out great and works better than I thought it would. I used a maple branch for the handle put it with the stainless blade that I fashioned and all is well.
Hope to get my computer back up and running soon so I can post some pics.

Ken