[Mark N. Akers]

Doug:
Very nice job I can tell you the customer will be very happy,and if he isn't send him my way as I have a large collection of Hand-carved Santa's.

[Ashbys]

Since it sold you know it was good enough to sell =) .

And it is good, but since your asking for opinions on how to improve the next one I assume,
I will tell you what I see and think.
The carving is tilited to the right side, meaning if the rest of the carving matched there would be no issue , but it doesn't.

The tilt doesn't follow consistant through the carving. You can see the in the back and on the side. The back seems to be oversized and the combination of being tilted to the side and bent forward , the back is rounded and almost striaght.

The back should have been tapered so the pack would set at an angle , but look sto be a 90 degree to the base, making him look slightly odd.

If you had added a few motions lines to the back , in folds in the robe , it would have given a bit more motion to the piece. Then you could have used the folds to give addition structure to the canted shoulder.

If you stand like you have him , the back of your shirt will pull up to the shoulder , then combine the pack to that , you will get press points and the pack will be shifted slightly . So you could slightly angle the pack or press the lower corner in and the opposite corner out to give the effect of the shift in weight.

The cloak looks a bit odd, in the fact it is large then small then large again. It doesn't show folds as to where the additional material might be. So it gives the impression that the robe was poorly made. Adding a few addition folds would have given it more depth , to allow the effect to be less noticed, or you could have cut it without having it pull into his legs since you have it closed is should be more of a consistant size, but having him slightly bent it would also show pulling in the leg area.

Just little things but I think this is some of what you wanted.

Ash

[Doug Ridley]

Nancy-- Yeah, I get the magnifying glass too now. I think they changed to that a few weeks ago. Don't have a clue as to why.
I will be studying your suggestions as I tackle the next one which I have already started on.
Thanks

Sorry, I meant that last part for Ashbys

[Doug Ridley]

Well my man came by today and picked up the Santa Claus and seemed to be thrilled with it so I guess it wasn't too bad a deal. But I still don't like the color. He also bought two wood spirits while he was here so I'm feeling pretty good right about now.
Thanks to everyone for all their input and comments on this project.
Doug

[jillsy]

Hey Doug,

I know I'm late with this, but just wanted to tell you I thought your Santa was good. They're not the colors I would generally use either, but it is fun seeing Santa painted in different ways - keeps things fresh!

Jillsy

[decoycarve]

Red on old world Santas is wrong! That being said I have to paint a lot of mine red to Satisfy customers. The red clothing is more of an American tradition. We try to stay toward A Burgandy if we have to do an Old World Santa. White Santas are probably our second best sellers.
Goody

[Whittlin]

Overall, I think he's very good.
Might have gone with the antque white, but would have added more color along with.
I have a cypress knee santa I carved the I painted in ivory and brought the base of the cloak and hood from periwinkle blue to midnight blue. Is different, but I like it okay.

Too bad you had no choice.

If you wanted to add a touch more flair, you could put one more holly and berries at the base of his cloak, off to a side.

Would add a spash more color and might not annoy the customer.

Good show.

[menehune]

Without the Holly, it could be Gandalf in Lord of the Rings!