[mbevington]

I’m still new to carving and my painting confidence is not that strong. I’m carving two miniatures of a Santa that I just completed to test two different painting styles. The miniatures are about 1/3 the size of my completed Santa.
I was just wondering if anyone else does something similar to test the paint before it goes on the finished carving?

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Yup ... and a good source book for starting to carvie mini's is "Carving Small Characters" by Jack Price ... Little Shavers has it (probably others also).

[jillsy]

I just started doing this, not just to test painting, but to see if I like the carving too. It's easier to make adjustments on the miniatures and if I mess up, it wasn't a big waste of time, wood, or money.

Only problem? I'm now starting to really enjoy doing the minis and don't know when I'll get to the bigger ones again!

[MelNM]

To me it probably depends on the paint your using. I used acrylics, but I add water so the paint is the consistancy of milk. Then I just add coats of paint till I get the look I like. The other thing you may want to do is antiquing your mini Santas, I usually spray my with deft then antique it.
Mel

[Bob_in_TN]

Doing miniatures is like opening a box of chocolate covered cherries, you can't have just one! They are fun.

[Blake Lunsford]

I thought you were quoting Forrest Gump there for a second Bob "Life is like a box of Chocolates"

[mbevington]

Mel, I did antique them. This was the first time that I ever antiqued, so the miniature was a good practice piece.

[MelNM]

Be sure and post the miniture so we all can see it and compare it to the big one.
Mel