Critique this

Doug Ridley · #1 02-04-2007, 02:24 PM

I'll get ready to duck!
This is about a 15" Santa for a customer who saw it before it was painted and bought it with the stipulation that we paint it an antique white with a gray pack. I don't like the antique white on a Claus and I especially don't like the gray bag on the antique white. The bag should have been a leathery brown in my opinion.
You are invited to post opinions on the colors and to critique the entire carving.
You don't need to blow any smoke, just fan the fire.

gene messer · #2 02-04-2007, 02:42 PM

Good job Doug.. it's got a good christmas look to it ..I like the green leaf on his hat ..

wood-whittler · #3 02-04-2007, 02:46 PM

doug,

the carving looks good but i have to agree i dont like the color either a santa should have more color to it, if i made any changes it would be the choice of colors other than that the carving is fine.

bart

Doug Ridley · #4 02-04-2007, 02:55 PM

Bart, I can't change the color. It is pre-sold to be that color. We almost always paint them red but I had to do this as this guy requested it and he has bought a LOT of carvings from us. I sure don't like it though. (But the customer is always right). Usually. Sometimes. But not this time.

Nancy-ID · #5 02-04-2007, 03:24 PM

Well for me the photos are too small to tell anything about the carving. I was looking at Sliver&dust's this morning too and his photos are too small. Has something changed with the board or are you guys just posting the small pics?

Doug Ridley · #6 02-04-2007, 03:58 PM

Nancy, the photos are absolutely as large(580) as the board will allow. Did you click on them and then maximize them?

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #7 02-04-2007, 04:04 PM

Well since he is paying for it....guess whatever makes him happy! A santa to me is a red suit lol but wadda I know

Kenny_S · #8 02-04-2007, 06:01 PM

Reds, Blues, Hunter Green or combination of colors but off white as a main color, Nah. But he did request it. Grey isn't a bad color but with the off white. Now an off white for the haire maybe. I use a lot of Daisey Cream for hair, mustachs and beards but not as a main color. The only thing I see that could be improve Doug is, the left hand needs to be holding something, a latern, a jug something to balance it out.

All in all, I think it is a fine carving and the painting is real nice, except for the color. Looks to me a little washed out. Maybe Mrs. Claus bleached his robe, ya think?

Don by the lake · #9 02-04-2007, 06:43 PM

Doug,
My wife thinks this is typical of a Russian Santa. I do like Santas done in red myself. The white is ok but I would add a stain or maybe linseed oil tinted with burnt umber to antique the carving. I think it would look a little better if there was some shadows on the carving which would occur by adding the linseed oil then wiping it off. I think Mark Gargac uses this technique on his carvings. Great job on the hands.

Nancy-ID · #10 02-05-2007, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Ridley

Nancy, the photos are absolutely as large(580) as the board will allow. Did you click on them and then maximize them?

Thanks Doug, used to be when I clicked the thumbnail it automaticly went to the large photo, but in just trying it again my cursor turned into a magnifing icon, I clicked again and got the large photos. Why that changed on me I have no idea but no problem now

Anyway about your Santa. I like it. I think most of us want to see more color but I'm assuming that those colors go with the buyers decor/christmas theme. What pleases them is what counts I guess.