[Lindy]

This is the first time I've attempted a piece of more than just the face of an animal. I had some trouble turning the relaxed paw but I have a better idea how to do it next time. I also had trouble with the line where the wood was joined in that I couldn't seem to get it to smooth out. Suggestions on how to do this would be appreciated.

Thanks for looking.

[mark yundt]

I think your piece looks terrific.The challenge in certain poses , just as in drawing ,is getting the perspective. Depth is hard to accomplish in this type of work as well as relief carvings.It's all a matter of fooling the eye ,and I think you did this quite well.As far as the line goes, if you don't have access to a jointer , which I didn't for ALONG time, I used to darken the shop a bit, hold the two boards together ( mark them so you always match the same ends and sides) and put a strong light behind them. You will see light shining through at various places. using a hand plane, or a sharp scraper and remove slowly the places that touch.Remember to keep the edges square to the sides or you can make the gap appear wider. once you have a smooth fit without any light shining through, glue it up, clamp it, and you should have an invisible line. Takes a bit of practice ,but I did this for years.

[Kenny_S]

Nicely burned and painted. The paw looks fine. Maybe a darker hue of the same color on the edges of the paw would give it a little depth. However, I think you done a great job. I like it.

[Pyrographer]

Very nice job but the nose is a bit off. Perhaps if you hold it up in front of a mirror you will see what I mean. Also the strokes of the fur should be curved a bit more rather than straight. It should conform with the shape of the body or head and perhaps a few more "darks".

About the joints. In some woods such as what your using the joints are not easy to work with. Sometimes you have to adjust your stroke and shading to compensate for the joint and the varying tones, textures, etc. Since it's often impossible to sand them perfectly you must compensate with your technique to try to make it "invisible" or blend in with the design.

Nedra

[Lindy]

Thank you for your comments and advice. Mark, I bought the wood plaque at Michaels and sanded the devil out of it. I don't think I'll use that kind of plaque again although I do have one more blank.

Nedra, thank you for your suggestions, and they really help. With this piece I kept forgetting I was dealing with a kitten and how their fur would actually be. And yes, that nose is not quite right either.

Merry Christmas everyone!

[mark yundt]

Ah O.K , thought you had glued this one up yourself,,, just ignore what I said, I went in the wrong direction. Glue lines can ge a bugger.Look closely at future purchases and get the tightest, clearest and least visible ones you can find. Or have a woodworker friend make one up for you.Trying to burn through glue lines is always tough, they seem to show up no matter what you try.