[Irishman]

You'll note that this latest woodspirit has been influenced by Susan's Wind Spirit posting. The parting of the long mustache took some time and I'm not sure if I approached it correctly. Didn't have enough wood on this 2.5 foot piece of log to add the feather.

Patrick

[Thor]

Patrick, that must be kind of spooky carving someone that intent out of a log.
He looks like you woke him up and he's wondering what you want.
Wonderful carving! I wish I could come close to making a face look that true.
Thor

[Colin_Partridge]

Patrick,
Great woodspirit l love the eyes they give your carvings soul. Also a really nice job on the nose. An overall outstanding carving.
Colin

[squbrigg]

As usual an outstanding spirit Patrick. Love the 'stash! The wood colours give such dramatic effects.

Bob

[Tom H]

Patrick, That's really a fine carving. The fine and clean carving; as well as the expression is especially nice. Tom H

[wood-whittler]

patrick,

great work like the detail in the face.

what kind of wood is that? it sure is pretty with the contrasts in the colors.

bart

[Kenny_S]

Nicely carved. The eyes make it for me!

[Irishman]

Thanks everyone. I must have the eyes right as most comment on that part of my carving the most.
The wood is lombarda (spelling?). I just found that out today after asking a few people. The core is a little spongy and very dark. It works sometimes depending on how deep I carve.

Patrick

[AlArchie]

Patrick, you have hit the eyes dead-on! Most instructors and even a lot of books tell you not to have the eyes looking straight on, as it is very difficult to make them look right. You got it right! They bore right through you.

That wood is lombardy poplar, an imported ornamental that was popular 40 years back or so, but has been dying off due to some type of infection or disease. They used to line a lot of country lanes with their tall, narrow shapes.

Al

[wade clark]

Very nice carving! I can see the experience in his face. It almost looks to real to be a carving. Very nice!
You can still buy Lombardi Poplar trees to plant. It's grown for wind breaks. It is typically planted to block the wind until another slower growing variety of tree is established, as the lombardi poplar grows super fast and tall, then dies. Very few of the trees last more than 40 years. Never have. It's the nature of the tree. They are soft, but they make pretty good firewood and ought to be great for carving. I think paper companies are growing a hybrid of them for pulp too.
Wade