field mouse

[stave]

First finished work of the year. Another experiment in finishing. I am trying to get the colors and depth of the Old Masters paintings by using the same earth palette of colors and applying them in the same manner. This piece is a combination of several different effects and not quite true to the technique described but is another step in that direction.

The background is three different types and colors of stain sealed with shellac before the rest of the carving is carved. The reeds were carved and then gone over with a diamond stone for texture. I applied a wash of ochre and white watercolors which not only gave color but the water raised the grain to produce the texture. The mouse was given a wash coat of sienna and then several glazes of sienna, umber and van dyke brown in artist oil paints. There was some buffing done between glazes to keep highlights. The last and final finish was a Liberon neutral wax mixed with a touch of umber oil paint to add just a little more shading to the colors.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did the experimenting. As usual, all comments and critiques are welcome.

Mark
stromcarver.com

[TexasSteve]

Well it is very realistic and a nice carving. As a matter of fact I was on here looking at it and my wife walked by and went "ewww" thinking it was a real mouse LOL I would take that as a compliment. Thanks for sharing

Steve

[llc1952]

That is a fantastic piece you've done.
It looks real---too real in fact. I can admire the talent without being too tickled over the
subject

[AL...]

Bonnie work my wife thought it was real too and shuddered .. (wonder if i can get one to sit next to my wallet?) lol
Thanks for sharing
Cheers
AL

[SlowMover]

Excellent carving, very artistic and a wonderful job on the finishing.

[Claude]

Excellent work, Mark!

Claude

[Dan Wegiel]

Hi Mark,
Fantastic job all the way around! Love it!
Dan

[Doug R]

Very nice job looks realistic and your finish makes the piece, Thumbs up!!

[Sharon of the Dell]

Before i blew the picture up, I thought that looks like a real mouse! I think it's wonderful!

[Bob K.]

Very nice work Mark!