New Member carving fur or hair question

[wwpatrick]

Hi folks,

I'm brand new to this forum. I hope to learn from and share with you folks.

Since I'm new, I don't know if there are any previous posts on carving hair/fur. This is a big thing for me as I love to carve dogs. I'm never really satisfied with my result.

Any previous posts to check or any suggestions? What do others do?

Patrick

[Boydman]

Morn'in Patrick,

Would help if you posted a picture of one of your carvings....hair,fur should flow with the general shape/smoothness of the rest. I have a Drathaar and there is about four different kinds of hair on his ugly head!

[Bob K.]

Welcome to the forum! Go to the first page of the forum and do a search for carving hair/fur. I'm sure you will find lots of info.

[FARMALL RON]

Welcome to the forum.................Ron

[Mitchell]

I edited your title to include words that allow the site to automatically link similar titles... they are at the bottom of the page.

[idigjars]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Safe carving. Paul

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Welcome to the forum. I use V tools, gouges and veiners for hair / fur.

Dave

[wwpatrick]

Thanks folks! I'll check out your suggestions.

Patrick

[Donsexton]

When learning how to carve hair and fur most carvers will try for too much symmetry. I will give you this trick that I use to teach new carvers it will give you good results until you master this part of carving. Avoid too much straight lines either with a V tool or a U tool carve the lay lines first then carve in between. The lines in between should be a series of “S” shapes and “C” shapes yes even for straight hair just make them looser for straight hair. This is a principle I still follow not to the letter but it will give you good results not perfect. One other tip, try my method on a scrap piece of wood the same wood your carving is made of.

[Lazy Carver]

Well grab a chair pickup a knife, and start whittlin' away! Welcome to the WCI family Patrick! You should be able to find plenty of help concerning carving animals. Especially dogs. I know of a woodcarving video on youtube by a worldclass carver named Reto Odermatt, concerning techniques on carving hair... Or you can do a hit on this site here! Im sure you will find what you are looking for, if you were already able to find your way here! Good Luck Patrick, and welcome once again!