Need a critique.....

[chpster90bu]

I've woodburned off and on....mostly animals or pictures from books, postcards, etc., but never attempted a human face from a photograph. This is my second one and I am shaky on the facial shading, I know. Can someone advise what point or tool would make this a softer shade for more blending or explain a technique I can try? I presently use Colwood pens on a Detail Master unit, using an adapter. Your comments would be very much appreciated. Thanks! Bonnie

[Doug Ridley]

I can't help as I don't know much about shading, or pyrography for that matter. The main thing I use my burner for is bird feathers. What I can tell you is that it looks awfully good to me and doesn't need much. Some expert might chime in and make suggestions for improvement but I don't see much room for it. It looks VERY good to me.

[GeorgiaCarver]

I think you have done a good job with the face, they are the hardest thing to do in my opinion. I use a round shader or a spear. Either one in a medium or large depending on the level of detail you need.

Nedra will pick this thread up soon and will be able to give a better answer but that is what I do.

Greg

[Eddy-Smiles]

I have a different style but we have a carver in our club that uses a tight round tip for everything. He says that he likes it and his woodburning is outstnding.

[Lindy]

For soft shading I like the spoon shader at a low temperature setting. By having a lower setting you can "build" you shadows to suit your project.

By the way, you did a wonderful job.

[Wolf Kiessling]

Without seeing the photograph that inspired this wood burning, it is impossible to tell if you captured the likeness. Having said that, however, it looks like a real nice piece of work to me.

I tend to agree with Lindy, for soft shading I use what she calls a spoon shader for exactly the reason she stated. I guess that is what I have, never did hear an official name for it since I inherited it from my late wife, but it is a bent over tip with a fairly wide flat surface that comes to a rounded tip. Spoon shader sounds about right. Nedra will probably chime in on this, she is about as good a woodburner around as there is.

I would guess if you asked a dozen experts you would probably get at least five or six different answers. Since you are looking for technical advice, I guess if you get different answers, try them all and see what works for you. That reminds me, I, personally, have to use different techniques for shading on different woods. Also different temperature settings. Then again, pyrography is not really my forte...........

[SeaChips]

Wolf,
In regards to your comment about Chpster capturing the real image of the photo, I can assure you that she is right on target with that since the image is that of my mother! Her eye for detail and appropriateness of application is extraordinary. Now, I can't comment on the burning aspect since I'm no burner, but I can comment on the likeness of the image - this one I am an expert in since it is my mom Just wanted to throw this bit of info in to give you guys an idea of image likeness. Chpster did an excellent job - wish I could give her the critique that she is looking for. Guess we will have to leave that to the experts here.
SeaChips

[Wolf Kiessling]

Originally Posted by SeaChips

Wolf,
In regards to your comment about Chpster capturing the real image of the photo, I can assure you that she is right on target with that since the image is that of my mother! Her eye for detail and appropriateness of application is extraordinary. Now, I can't comment on the burning aspect since I'm no burner, but I can comment on the likeness of the image - this one I am an expert in since it is my mom SeaChips

Isn't that good to hear, she hit a double whammy. An image that is dead on the money plus a good looking piece of work to boot. Just a little note, the first human face I ever burned was that of MY mother. It turned out pretty good, at least according to my late wife, so I gave it to my sister..........

It was a tough one, too, the photo I used showed her smiling with her teeth showing. The teeth gave me the fits but I eventually figured out a way to make it work. Probably spent as much time on the teeth as I did on the whole rest of the picture......

[chpster90bu]

Doug, Greg, Eddy, Lindy, Wolf and Seachips....thank you all so much for your comments, and the tips on the burner tool. I am probably using what you are calling the spoon shader, but not sure...I'll have to check that out. If I am, I'll have to practice with that. If not, then I'll get one. I'm not used to portraits and find them more difficult than anything else I've burned. Thanks for taking the time to help! BonnieThank You

[Mottles]

Bonnie I too, think you have done a really nice job. The spoon shader is excellent for shading and blending. Begin with a light setting and adjust to suit. I think you will find this shader will get the results your looking for. Do some testing on a scrape piece of wood before you begin.
Looking forward to seeing more of your work.
Kathy