My First Spirit...suggestions welcome

tucker1931 · #1 10-24-2007, 10:49 AM

Here's my first one almost ready to stain (I guess) I'm toying between dark walnut or pine color. It's an old Pine fence post that I found, it measure 22 x 6 inches, I cut the post down the middle giving me 4 same pieces. Not sure wether to paint the eye balls or use the gouge.

Robert Cahill · #2 10-24-2007, 12:30 PM

You did a real nice job for your first one . My preference would be pine

Mottles · #3 10-24-2007, 12:51 PM

Hi tucker1931, boy this is really nice for your first mountain man--keep up the good work. I like the pine color idea also as for the eyes--do you have a woodburner? If so, what I like to do is burn in the eyes here is an example of my mountain man http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.co...ntainman01.jpg there are some side views in this thread also.
Kathy

tucker1931 · #4 10-24-2007, 01:08 PM

kathy, your eyes look relly great, I like that a lot better than cutting holes with a gouge or for that matter just dabbing a black eye ball. THANK YOU, you just made my day.
Cliff

Merle Rice · #5 10-24-2007, 01:32 PM

Tucker1931, You have a great start on your Wood Spirit carving. Looking firward in seeing your future pieces after you get more experience in Wood Spirit Carving. They should be GREAT. Merle

gene messer · #6 10-24-2007, 03:18 PM

Nice job Tucker ... I dont know much about woodspirits .. but I like this one ..

Good job ...

Gene

Irishman · #7 10-24-2007, 03:41 PM

I think you have heard pine from almost everyone so I'll add my name to the list. You'll know once you finish applying it if a light stain is the way to go. You have a lot of cuts so it should show up well. As for the eyes...hmmmm. I used to burn all my eyes but the last 4-6 woodspirits and characters have been painted. If your staying with the natural wood color and not painting, I would go with burning them in.
You did a great job on your first woodspirit.
Patrick

Joy · #8 10-24-2007, 04:31 PM

You should be very proud of this. I agree with the rest....a light stain would be better. I may have to buy a woodburner just so I can try Kathy's trick. I have always cut in the pupils.

A suggestion for your next spirit....try to get a little more movement in the beard. And give him a little more forehead before you start the hair.

Great job. Just goes to show.... us old uns can still learn.

Colin_Partridge · #9 10-24-2007, 05:11 PM

Nice job on your first spirit he looks a lot better than my first try. Now I would have said use a gouge and chisel out the eye ball because that is what I do. But after looking at your carving I think if the way you have them curved already if you took your time and painted them they would be better.
I guess it is matter of preference but after reading your thread I think it about time for me to change and try painting a few. That what this board is all about learning from others and I love to learn. Please be sure and post a picture when you have him completed. I agree with the others Pine sounds fine I think walnut is a little dark for this guy.
Colin

tucker1931 · #10 10-24-2007, 05:30 PM

Time for me to jump in here and say"thanks for all the kind words" damn, I love my new hobby, sure wish I had started 50 or so years sooner. Oh well I'll just keep pluggin away and havin a ball, momma's gonna get me some more tools. Heck 6 weeks ago I couldn't even spell wuld carver and now I are one. Thanks again.
Cliff