[BobD]

Need some suggestions everyone...this is my first ever relief carving, and I'm following Susan's instructions.

I ran into problems because I only made one copy of the pattern when I first started...and since then I haven't been able to duplicate the exact size, so I've been sketching in the details rather than tracing them.

I can't seem to get the wood from the area where I am undercutting the beard, etc...

Please let me know what you think! I've been working on this since July, and I really want to do the best job I can!

I'm also not sure about the eyes...I think the eyelids may be too proud from the background...

Bob

[Thor]

Bob, I think your relief is progressing nicely. The one thing about relief work is that it pretty much looks terrible until it's done or in the final stages of being done. When I demonstrate, I "always" have a finished piece next to me so the observers can tell what it's going to look like when it's done. They just look rough during the process for me.
I do realize that some folks really keep them clean while caring in each stage, but I can't seem to.

My only advice would be to just keep each section of the surface in the same stage of completion as you work.

And, the less you refer to the original trace, the more it becomes your own original. Greenmen can be goolish or michevious or even scary. Don't be afraid to alter the pattern.
Good luck with it and show us lots of pictures.
Thor

[Kenny_S]

I am not a relief carver but it looks like you are progressing nicely On this carving .

[Irish]

Bob, You're doing great!

The level work looks excellent, a well raised nose - gret brow ridge - well defined eyes.

I think you are far too early in the carving work to be fussing over the eye lids. Go on and work the leave rolls and stem curls. Then let's look and see where you need to refine the face.

Sometimes we can get bogged down on one area of the work. Your entire piece will effect the look of the face when you are finished so save your judgements until these outer areas have some shaping.

Great job so far!!!!!!!!!!!!

Susan

PS ... I love the cut planes from your chisel in the leaf areas. I lost a lot of my planes and it made the leaf look sort of flat. Yours looks facited or jewel like ... Love it.

[Ron Davidson]

The way I do it Bob is to take a section at a time and get them close to the desired depth. That way I can always remove more as needed. I think from what I can tell the beard will be OK as you go you can remove more on the undercut. I think this is what you are refering too. I think you are doing fine. I think it might also help you if you put your knife down and with you fingers feel the different areas. If you can tell what they are they should be good.
Ron

[Irish]

Ron, That is excellent advice ... let your fingers do the walking! Our view of what we are carving can become distorted because of the light source, our angle of approach and the grain of the wood.

Fingers can feel the different levels more accurately than the eye can see.

Susan

[BobD]

Thanks for the great advice everyone! I really appreciate it!

Now I can't wait to get home and do some more carving!!!

BOb

[squbrigg]

Hey, Bob's doing a relief carving! Welcome into the water son, the water's great! Great beginning on your Greenman, good advice coming your way too.

My advice: relax, carve, learn as you carve and enjoy the process!

Looking forward to seeing you progress.

Bob

[mdallensr]

Good job, Bob. Great advice too! With relief carvings, "you must have faith and believe". Give it a chance and sometime soon, you'll see it as it should be and have a "eureka" moment. Mike

[dmatias]

Hi Bob; The method of feeling the relief carving really works. My teacher taught us to close our eyes and feel the work we are doing and our "third" eye will tell us what needs to be removed and what is where we want it. Looking forward to seeing the completed work. Looks like you are headed in exactly the right direction on this.