large candle holder

[Micky]

I have been working on this burn off and on for a quite some time now. I had this nice big piece of Aspen that Jim cut and drilled 3 candle holes into for me. I couldn’t decide what to put on it so it sat around until I bought the landscape package of patterns from Susan Irish’s website (www.carvingpatterns.com). The set came with this awesome group of drawings that you can combine to do a relief carving for a mantle so I taped it all together and reduced it on the copier for my candle holder.
Now I have NO artistic talent whatsoever, but I think I did okay on the rocks and some of the buildings, but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to do the trees (we won’t discuss the stream under the bridge-yikes). After I messed up the pine trees I starting working on the larger trees on scrap wood with a tree drawing tutorial I printed from the internet, but they all look awful. I recently received my Great Book of Woodburning (also by L.S. Irish). It has a great section on doing shrubs and it appears the trees are done the same way. I decided to go ahead and post the current pics in case I mess up the deciduous trees too.

Thanks for looking
micky

[Thor]

Great idea to do with the log cut-off..I may try one myself. That would make a great centerpiece with the candles in it!
Your burning is very well done, with a well balanced composition and interesting subject.
I really like it!
Thor

[Pyrographer]

MIckey, it's looking really good so far. Can't wait to see it when it's finished.

Nedra

[Mottles]

Hi Micky, I love your candle holder and the design is wonderful. Hey you can't go wrong following direction from Susan--shes a real 'Pro' I have several of her books. I don't have her latest book but Christmas is just around the corner and I've been really good this year. Smile
Kathy

[Micky]

Thank you for the kind words. I will try to finish the trees next week.

Kathy--I agree on the patterns. The book your buffalo came out of earlier this year is on my Christmas list too. I really want to do another relief carving. Of course Susan's Dragon Book and Fairy Book are also on the Christmas list so I will be happy no matter which one I get. )

micky

[AlArchie]

Great idea and well done......be sure to post when you finish. If you decide to do another one like this, I have a suggestion, I'll post later.....gotta get some photos up.

Al

[AlArchie]

Mickey, I really like your idea of burning the design in the side of that candle holder. Here's my thought.....I made these several years ago from some birch trees that had to be cut down. Now, here's something you might try for next time. One side of this log has a kerosene lantern built in,and the other has six holes bored for votive candles. The lamp and auger for drilling can be purchased from Woodturners Supply.

[AlArchie]

OOOPS, forgot the photos.

[Micky]

Thanks Al. I really like the Kerosene lamp idea. May just have to give that one a try out--always looking for something new.
micky

[Irish]

Micky, what I see looks great! Wood burnings can be very hard to judge in the early stages of burning because you will areas completely finished and other areas untouched.

Try not to judge your progess until you are deeper into the work when you will have more areas for comparision.

Susan