[Claude]

Just finished this carving also. It's intended to be a representation of a contractor, for my son who is one out in California. The figure is holding a framing square in his right hand, and a roll of blueprints in his left. I'm debating with myself about the finish on this one... Sometimes I think it would look best painted; other times I think just a natural finish (satin varnish and wax). It will be mounted on a wood base of some sort. Suggestions and critique welcomed.

Claude

[Nancy_G]

Claude -- that's quite impressive.
I vote for an unpainted surface.... it looks so good as it is.

I have no idea at all of what tools a contractor uses so this is a weak suggestion ....... could he be standing on a circular saw blade (of course mounted on/covering a wooden base ?

[mark yundt]

A friend did one similar to this and he finished it in very faded washes of color,,looked like faded blue jeans and T shirt.As for a base,,could be a Plank floor,,you know,, make it look like individual boards,, or there are sprays available to look like textured stone,, or how about this,,I like this one,,make it look like he was so caught up in studying whatever he is obviously looking at he walked across wet concrete,,carve a base to look like concrete,,with the score lines in it,,but carve footprints in it and paint it to look like concrete? He's so concerned with his project,, yet walked right across finished work! And have some concrete sticking to his boots. And to sign the piece,,scratch your initials in the concrete like a kid would! You could also make mini joists and put a thin sheet of wood over it to look like framing and a ply sub floor..there are so many possibilities,,hopefully this got you thinking.

[gene messer]

Great job Claude ... He looks like a contractor .. Like the detail on the tools and pouches on his belt .. But I have to say my vote is of course painting .. but really thin the paint to a wash so the wood shows through .. Let us see it when it's done ...

[mwilleson]

Nice job Claude, excellent details.

I'm going to create a tie and vote for a natural finish. Which ever finish you decide on, practice on some scrap wood so you know exactly what you'll get.

[Mark N. Akers]

Claude:
Very nice job on the contractor,a very nice gift for your son.