Grizzly bear with basswood glue-up

Lindy · #21 04-10-2007, 04:24 PM

Hi Sketch,

Beautiful work on that bear. With your burning may I suggest that you burn in the fur lines rather than using a stipplng effect? This will help you create the actual texture of fur so that when you go to paint or stain it will look more natural. If you use a skew tip, depending on what burning system you're using, it will actually cut through the wood in very fine lines to create the texture I'm talking about and then you want to make sure that you're doing your lines in a slight "S" type of curve. If you work from the back forward you will get a nice overlay of the fur actually laying on top of itself.

I hope this helps and I really do love that carving! keep up the wonderful work.

Linda

Sketch · #22 04-10-2007, 11:42 PM

Linda,
Thanks for your tips. I'm realizing that the stipple effect is not achieving the effects that I was hoping for. At this point I don't think I can switch to burning lines. I I'll just finish it through and call it a learning experience. I don't have experience with using paint or stain on carvings so I will have to look into that for the future.
Thanks again,

Matt

Sketch · #23 11-04-2007, 04:43 PM

Well, I finished this bear a few months ago and wanted to finally close-up this post with some pics. This was my second carving and was not thrilled with the wood burning technique I chose. It took way to long to do for the results It gave in return. It actually turned out a bit better than I thought it would. I think I will give some serious thought on how I want to finish the next carving. Thanks again for all the advice and encouragement you all had to give.

Matt

dmatias · #24 11-09-2007, 09:50 AM

Great bear. You did a fantastic job. Was I correct in reading this is your first try at carving. WOW!!!!! Another one is hooked!

Keep carving and posting, love to see other peoples works.

Sketch · #25 11-09-2007, 01:49 PM

Thanks Deborah,

I appreciate your kind words. This is actually my second carving. The first was a pelican I posted here on the message board awhile back. You're right, carving is quite addicting. I'm eager to get started on my next project. Still trying to figure out what that is going to be. This forum has been a great place for inspiration.

Thanks again,

Matt