[xsailer]

Two days after I cleaned several pieces of Cottonwood bark I took a knife and then chisel to it. I switched from my knife to a chisel because I was afraid the stiff and brittle surface would damage the knife. There weren't any imperfections in the bark it was just hard. Of course after skinning off the outer surface it's soft but getting there was a little bit of a surprise. Of course everytime I cut my finger is a surprise but I know afterwards how and why it happened.

[GILLY]

I just got some bark too, first time I've tried it. It'll take some getting used to.

[Coffeeman]

Not only do you want to remove the bark area, but you'll need to go down onto the wood a few layers to.

When I do my spirits, I only remove the bark from the general area that I'm working in, say the eyes/nose/cheaks...get them roughed in, then I proceed to mouth or forehead area next, depending on how I see what is evolving. In essence, I break the face down into three main areas, and remove the bark as I get to those areas, as apposed to trying to remove all the bark in the beginning for the whole face.

Thats just my routine, mainly because I want to leave as much bark on as possible to maintain the "bark look". Bill

[Kenny_S]

I use a draw knife on the removal of the outer layers. However, beforethought is a must. With the drawknife, eliminated torturing your good knives and gouges. AGAIN, before thought is a must. You need to plan out what you want to do. Coffeman has the right idea.

[xsailer]

Draw knife is a good idea and I have one hanging on the wall. Can't wait to try it. I'm sure thats a way to go and as you said will save the more tender cutting edges.
Thanks

[artolver]

xsail,
I use a hatchet, I choke down on the handle and push rather than chop. I keep the hatchet sharp and try to use it to shape the image I'm looking for. I leave enough of the grey stuff so it forms an adequate frame. Often, I rough it out entirely with the hatchet.
Zip,boom, bang!!!!
Art (the bark guy)