question for Tom Hindes and Woodcraving Mag

[therenow]

I read and tried the "15 minute Santa" and thought that the details were lacking. As a result, my fireplace is now raging with attempts, and I am thinking why cannot we not have a more detailed presentation? The photos lack the additional instruction for boneheaded new carvers as myself. It is really frustrating to try to extrapolate what the carver is trying to express. Maybe a video? a thing like Gene Messer does??

[BobD]

Can you give me some feedback on what you feel is lacking? Before the article came out in the magazine, I gave a few of my non-carving friends a knife, a blank, and the article and asked them to see if they could carve the Santa...while some took more than 15 minutes, all were successful.

What areas are you struggling with? What can we do to make it more clear?

Best regards,
Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

[Tom-H]

There are several things that come to mind, that might make articles that are step-by-step carving instructions a bit more helpful. First is the carving difficulty and the level of expectation. One of the Quilting magazines that I receive, has a "skill level" attached to each step-by-step article. While the "15 Minute Santa" is not a very difficult project, it requires some skill,technique, and experience with a carving knife. So, I would put this project somewhere between "beginner and Intermediate Skill Level". I too have tried out various folks with the photos and instructions as written. And I noted that inexperienced carvers or folks with limited knife technique required additional instruction in how to make the required knife cuts. The other thing that I wish I had added to the article is a whole bunch of "Tips" about knife use with this project. Give it another try I'll bet the results will be more to your liking.....

Tom H

[BobD]

I can see your point with that, Tom! Maybe we can work out a tutorial here on the message board on those basic cuts! Along the lines of the one Susan Irish posts.

Bob

[stuestrade]

Issue #53, look on page 33, step 3 of “Carving the 15-minute Santa.”



I thought ¼” from bottom of hat to bottom of the nose needed to be more than the ¼” to accommodate nose, eyes, and forehead-all below the hat.

From: Shannon Flowers [mailto:shannon@foxchapelpublishing.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 2:33 PM
To: stuestrade@cox.net
Cc: Paul Ries; Bob Duncan
Subject: Re: FW: Digital WCI


Hi Stu,

I'm not quite sure I'm following what you are asking about the Santa.

In step 2, you taper the forehead up to the bottom of the hat. In step 3, you make a stop cut at the bottom of the nose (1/4" down from the bottom of the hat) and then cut up to relieve the mustache area under the nose.

Tom Hindes is very active on our message board and I'm sure he can help you with any questions you may have on this carving. He was at the Artistry in Wood show in Dayton and was a guest carver at our booth - he taught the Santa there and made it look so easy - I'm sure he has carved hundreds of them. This project is on my must-do list!

Link to the forum: http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/forum/
Start a thread in the author questions section and I'm sure Tom will respond shortly.

[Tom-H]

Stu and others,

The distance between the bottom of Santas hat and the bottom of his nose, can be anything between 1/4" and about 3/4". The size and shape of the nose kinda helps determine the final "look" of Santa. The 1/4" inch down will end up with a smaller and potentially more round nose, and minimum space for the forehead. I choose 1/4" because I like the smaller rounder nose and less forehead. Try it with 1/2" down from the bottom of the hat. It may produce a larger nose which is also fine too.

Tom H

[MichelleOH]

Interesting...I also thought the 1/4" measurement must be wrong. I started one of these guys and knew when I decided to go with that cut it wasn't enough room. I will try another and give the nose some more space.

[Tom-H]

Michelle,

OK! 1/4 Inch is tight, but you do know I really like to whittle small...

Tom H

[MichelleOH]

True, Tom, but yours looks GOOD! Happy Thanksgiving!

[therenow]

Originally Posted by BobD

Can you give me some feedback on what you feel is lacking? Before the article came out in the magazine, I gave a few of my non-carving friends a knife, a blank, and the article and asked them to see if they could carve the Santa...while some took more than 15 minutes, all were successful.

What areas are you struggling with? What can we do to make it more clear?

Best regards,
Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

I would be pleased to and thank you for your question. First; the definition or the cuts around the eyes need clarification. From the pics, it is hard to extrapolate the results. Now, given that I am a very untalented carve, seeking to improve, questions I have may see very basic. But as I am and perhaps others, it is useful to see what the finished cut would look like. I see toms finished Santa and there is lot left to do which, fills my fireplace and cause me heartburn. Perhaps additional photos or better a video even at an additional charge would help out