[foundwood]

This is the progress on a life-size bust of my seventeen year old son carved from an oak tree that washed up on the banks of the Cape Fear River.

I just finished the ears and neck, and I will move to the hair soon. The ears were a beast to carve out of this oak, because it is as hard as concrete; the rotary bits wanted to chatter in the dremel, and my Flexcut RPC tool head was a little too big with short-shafted bits.

Anywho, I thought y'all might be interested in the progress so far. It is really starting to take shape, and I am excited to see the resemblance with my son. The brown splotches on the areas at the top appear where I was experimenting with different stain colors for the hair.

Any suggestions?

[Claude]

Looks great at this stage, please keep showing photos of the progress.

[fishcarver]

Hay GREAT JOB, love the look you are getting from the old oak. would love a piece of that for my fish, thanks for sharing, keep us posted please.........

[foundwood]

E-mail me your name and address, and include the size that you want, and I will see what I can come up with for you. We just have to figure out the cheapest way to get it to you. I will give the wood to you, because it was given to me.

I'm not in this for the money, friends. I do it because it keeps my brain healthy with work.

[squbrigg]

Beautiful bust! He's a fine looking young man, and your carving is doing him justice.

Please keep us posted on your progress, we love watching as things develope.

Bob

[GardenGnome]

Terrific!!!!!!!!!!!!


GardenGnome

[squbrigg]

Foundwood...... any progress on your bust? We'd love to see some pictures.

Bob

[foundwood]

I will post updates sometime this evening.

I am working on the hair portion, and struggling a little with how much detail I want from the separate "masses". I am also torn between using very fine cuts made with a typhoon bit or larger cuts with a v-edge chisel/tool to carve the hair strands.

The photos will depict my stain choice for the hair as applied to a small section above the forehead, as well.

[foundwood]

I began the process of "layering" the hair at the forehead, and over the ears on Monday night. The perimeter where the hair meets the neck, ears and forehead was roughed in on Sunday.

It is difficult to achieve any detailed contrast between the hair masses and the rest of the piece in photos, because the grain kills shadows.

I will continue with the hair layering this week, continue by sanding the hair to a fine fine finish, and then carve-in the strands.

Wish me luck!

[squbrigg]

The bust is coming along. Hard to see, like you say, with the light and grain frustrating shadow. Looks to be the same principal as feathering, doing groups of hair and then detailing. Keep up the good work.

Bob