Female Elf

[Irishman]

I put another twist to Mark Gargac's Elf carving - a female elf. I had planned on making the elf along the same lines as my other elves but found I started to move into a more realistic look - sort of fantasy style. I took a lot of pictures and could have posted it in the tutorial section but there is nothing unique to this carving. So here are a number of picture to show you how I proceeded thus far. The blank is basswood.
Patrick

[Irishman]

Here is the next string of pictures of the progress. This next phase is the chin and nose taking shape.

Patrick

[Irishman]

I now have the mouth to form, and more work on the chin. My hand is showing that the chin is still too big and I now have to shave down the facial features.

[Irishman]

Now to start doing some sanding to smooth out some cuts and shape the turtle neck, fur lined coat and do some work on the hair area.
Her chin is still strong and I need to soften the brow area. I will be leaning down the hat as the face ended up being smaller than I had expected. Her ears will need to be dwarfed some more and tapered to give a less comical look. I hope to post more progress tomorrow. Thanks for looking.
Patrick

[Irishman]

And by the way, thanks to Carl for inspiring me to try a female elf. He may be posting one as well I understand....right Carl.
PatrickWink

[CarverFromNoWhere]

Thats right Patrick I will if I can find the time to keep practicing them. I have now done three , all have contributed to keeping the shop warm. Still not sure what I am doing wrong but they are getting better, once I get one I like I will post her and see if Doris, you, and Doc could take a look.

Thanks for the progress PICS wow you go about it way different then I have been. This might be where I go wrong I am carving the wrong areas away to begin with.
Carl

[gene-messer]

Patrick .. Thanks for the demo ... the pictures are very good and gives us a good start ..

Besides being a great looking carving .. you have inspired us ..

Gene

[toycarver]

Looks like you have the hard part behind you. That is a very pretty face. Thanks for the progressive pictures. I will check back and see the finished piece & Carl's if he isn't still heating the shop up.

[Joy]

Patrick, thanks for sharing. I enjoyed watching the progression and seeing how you attack a carving. I don't think it needs to be "unique" for us to benefit from a WIP. More pictures, please.

[CarverFromNoWhere]

Patrick I was looking over your pictures again and realized this isn't what I had seen in my mind. It is close and is working for you so when I get mine figured out you will see what I mean. What size of a blank did ya start with?

I think I will go and give it another try tonight, tomarrow it's looking like my day is shot we are traveling 3 hours+ one way to pick up some machinery and then we will visit the grandparents and do some shopping.
Carl