oak tree

[Thor]

I haven't posted a picture in awhile, because I learned how much I didn't know and so much of what I was doing wrong....I had to work on a few things before I felt as though I had made any progress.

The picture posted is "some" progress....not as good as I hope to get, but I am working on carving less-flat. It's a start.
The background is textured from hammering an awl tip into the wood. It's basswood and oiled with tung oil.
Thor

[Irishman]

Nice relief Thor. Your doing the style that I want to attempt. I wouldn't know where to start with some of the very small detailed work we have seen posted on the site. I'm going to be brave someday and try putting some leaves on the woodspirits I have been doing. You have given me an idea of something I would like to try sometime.
Patrick

[AlArchie]

Thor, the learning process, in and of itself is never "wrong". Also, individual carving styles can be labeled unique, individual, unusual, novel, intuitive, inventive immaginative, or introspective, but NOT wrong.

What you have identified as wrong, may in fact be what sets your individual style apart from other carvers.

Would you consider Colin's woodspirits "wrong", if compared to Lynn's cowboy characatures? Or to Nancy G's Santas. Or even to my slowly developing fish? Or Dylan's relief work compared to Susan's or Elaine Stenman's?.

Wrong? I think not, and neither are yours!

Al

[Nancy-ID]

Originally Posted by Thor

I haven't posted a picture in awhile, because I learned how much I didn't know and so much of what I was doing wrong....I had to work on a few things before I felt as though I had made any progress.

The picture posted is "some" progress....not as good as I hope to get, but I am working on carving less-flat. It's a start.
The background is textured from hammering an awl tip into the wood. It's basswood and oiled with tung oil.
Thor

That looks really nice, Thor. Nothing flat about it that I can see. Beautiful!

[Tom-H]

Thoe, A delightfull little oak tree. Like the background too. Tom H

[Kenny_S]

Ya done fine Thor. I will nor post my first relief. Well it wwas a relief when we used it for fire wood!Bouncing S

[Lightningbolt]

Very nice and stunningly appealing work! I agree that there is no "wrong" way to carve and that we all have our own style.

I even pointed out all of my so-called mistakes with the last picture that I posted yesterday in another thread. I've learned a lot over time just watching some of the carver's on this board get better and better at their own unique style of carving, so please post as much as you have time for because I learn a LOT by watching you learn.

There is no art better than anyone else's on this board, whether a recognized professional or a beginner...there are only human judgements taking placed based only upon the opinion of the viewer. I enjoy and learn from everyone.

Your acorns would look great in a homemade rustic type frame... but that's just my opinion.

[woodcarver55555]

I love it, looks great. What kind of wood is it done in?
Duncan

[Thor]

Thanks for all of the encouraging comments.
I think I used the word "wrong" incorrectly. What I meant was that I was at a brick wall when it came to achieving the look that I was hoping to see. My work was repeatedly "flat" looking. While this was a style, I was wanting to create a more 3-D looking relief. This piece shows the difference between what I was doing and where I hope to go.

The image I'm posting is an older oak tree that I did.
I think the new one is an improvement as far as what I really want to see.

I learn from everyone's progress posted on this board too.
Being able to watch Peter Benson carve in person recently really helped me see what I was not doing with my tools and technique to achieve this new fuller look.
Thor

[Irish]

Oh! Thor, those shadows are to die for! And the hammered textured background just makes them darker. Wonderful relief work.

Susan