[mark yundt]

I decided to try out a couple of things.After reading posts for a little over a month I decided to see how it all adds up.
On one post we debated what chisels should a new carver get. I suggested alternating the numbers and staying with "smaller" sizes.But I wondered , just how much damage could someone do with this selection and just what is possible to carve,O.K., I'll find out?Leaves seemed to be popular,but I like Acanthus and some thought I make them look easy and they would like to try them,O.K.I'll do those.On a third post I remarked that I didn't think there was such a big market for Santas , there isn't I was told,, they just like to make them,I never made one,too many others are good at it,I'll find something else to do.And on other posts,finding a niche for your work,carving what the market wants,what's it worth,where do you sell, e-bay,fairs etc,, all marketing and selling questions.O.K.what can I do/get for this when it's done, and what else can I do with it?,,well I'll find out.So I had a slab of Mahogany, would have used basswood but this was handy, all one piece,1 1/4" thick 11" wide 20" high.So I took a few minutes , sketched a quick design, since it's symetrical you only have to do half.Layed it out on the wood , cut it out, and the second installment is on the second post.By the way,,I don't own any dog legs or any sort of hold downs ,never did. I use tape , a piece of ply, and a couple of "C" clamps,easy, fast,, doesn't get in the way nor mar the carving,and most can get tape and a couple of ''C" clamps pretty easily and you can clamp it ANYWHERE you want or take it with you, don't gotta have a carving bench doing it this way( I don't have one of those either).

[mark yundt]

I am limiting myself to the following chisels: 3/5 5/8 7/6 8/4 11/5 12/5 and a knife.I know this isn't a true alternating pattern,,, should be a 9/5 instead of an8/4,but I grabbed it and started using it, and couldn't go back,a 9 of some size would (I have found) been handy instead of the 8,,,but I'll make it work.I never use a knife, but thought it would be something most carvers have so I included that too. So 6 chisels and a knife, I was prepared to carve. Now my chisels aren't "scary sharp" ,not even frightening sharp, more like "you could poke somebody's eye out with that thing".Once I started roughing out,I really had to fight the urge to grab a bigger chisel for the roughing out.Wood wasn't moving as fast as I am used to.But then I thought " hey, a new carver wouldn't know,, and they would be happier taking their time and finding their way".Personally I felt like I was trying to make another Grand Canyon using only a spoon,,it might take a while,, but it can be done.After the third night ,about 6 hrs into it,limiting myself to 2 hrs a night( would have been 4 if I had a bigger chisel) here is where I am.I did think to add back a piece to extend the nose,,I could have brought the face out more without having to sacrifice so much wood just to get the nose out, might have had more movement and drama,but in 1 1/4 inches I think I can make it look OK.The final size is 11" wide x 19" high.

[Ashbys]

Mark,

Excellent, idea. It is comming along very well, and I want to ask a couple of questions.

Your say your 6 hours into the project. Does that include the time for everything?

The pattern , the bandsaw work , the layout, and the carving?

If so then the speed your moving is really quite exceptional. An 19 x 11 inch piece 1 and 1/4 thick would be an agressive project for someone just starting.

How much have you used your knife? I am asking because once your have done large pieces with gouges and become use to using them , you do not as often reach for a knife as first choice , but most beginners will reach for a knife before the gouge.

And Mark , your talent and experence already shows in the flow lines of your gouge work, this is going to be a lovley piece.

Garry

[squbrigg]

Splendid idea Mark and a wonderful approach. This will be a great tutorial for new carvers wanting to know where to begin. Keep up the good work.

Bob

[doris]

that is a very interesting topic. i am myself very much beginner, and since i am self teaching, i often wonder if i do "the right way". for one, is the tools. i habe no carving
bench, just clamps i use to fix carving on my desk, i not even have "proper" carving chisels, but a small set of pretty small chipcarving chisels and gouges, and a set of
used carpenter chisels (not very big either) i got from a friend, when i started wood carving. and from all these i use only 6 regularly, and seldom the carving knife i
bought. and i wondered, if my slow speed comes from my tools. now your experiment, mark, shows me, no its not the small tool set i use, its the missing experience. you
say you have 6 hours in that, and i know if i tried it, this big, i would probably need at least 20, given i find someone to saw out the boundary. one reason is that of course i
often spend big deal of time wondering which cuts to do next.... well long saying, but i just wanted thank you for this post, as it is to me very encouraging. yes, and
beautiful carving too, i personally would try make nose a little deeper (hope you not mind me saying this) but then i really like carving as is very much.

[Thor]

Excellent tutorial already. I suppose the one of the next steps will be the finish, and the mounting, and then on to selling into what market with the correct price tag?
Thor

[DADDIO]

great post it's looking very nice,will be very intresting to follow this all the way through the selling process.great idea!!

[Kenny_S]

Nice tutorial Mark, Shows the biginning very well and your progress.
Thank you.

[mark yundt]

The first given as you all know is yes, I do have experience.This accounts for much of the progress I am able to make.I only reference the time for this because for me time is money, not intended to discourage anyone thinking they're slow.This is carving,,not a race,,no-one really cares, if it takes you a year,,THAT'S O.K.But to answer the questions posted, It took me 15 minutes to do the drawing.Since it's symetrical you only have to draw half,when you transfer it to wood ,using the carbon back to back you automatically get the reverse, flip it over and keep on tracing the other half.I've done hundreds of these "leaves" and like anything you do that much it comes natural ,but there are a few "tricks" necessary to any piece.FLOW LINES ARE THE ONLY IMPORTANT THING,NOT THE DETAILS. The rest is just fun to look at and do. This is a topic unto itself,how to make a good design that flows and works. ( maybe another post if anyone is interested) Bandsaw time approx 40 min. ,man,, all those little pesky pointed leaves take time,,Oak or grape leaves would have been easier.Time to the first stage of rough out,,about 2 hrs., that's from the blank page, drawing,t-fer,cut out and starting the rough in, end of first night.Second and third night continued the roughing in, and finding the nose and eyes. I had to determine these first since everything else flows away from them. Since there is so much interest in mouths, noses and eyes that's why I decided on this layout, leaves, facial features etc.it's all included here and the final design would fit in many environments, not limited to a seasonal theme.There are many other things I would like to address, associated with this post,but as usual, I'm getting long winded and will try,(if I remember what I want to say) in further installments.They should include ( as a reminder to you and myself) finding forms,balance,new carvers and just what constitutes a beginners project,etc.Yes, Doris,, the nose is too short,, I should have added to it as I wanted to,,but I decided to work within the parameters of the orig. board.It will appear a bit longer as I push the mouth further into the piece,, in a sense I can "buy back the wood" as it's called to make something appear different. There is alot of wood left in this piece, and no, I haven't begun to even carve the leaves, the piece isn't ready for that just yet. They'll come,, and then you'll see me slow down.But I don't think I'll give time frames anymore,but I'll keep them myself as reference , and if/when I move the piece what I really made.Any other thoughts on how you want the piece to go,, let me know,, I'm open for suggestions.

[Ashbys]

Mark,
To be honest , I think it is important to post your time. You have been an experenced carver for many years. To the newbie that is learning, there is very little base to show the comparison of time , and as you said time is money.
Many carvers give their work away simply because they really do not understand, that work has value and that just because you are starting , is no sign you should value yourself to a penny per hour.

15 mins for your pattern, a new carver will easily spend over an hour to do the same thing. Why because they will detail it more than needed and the concept of one side matching the other just isn't there.
Excellent lesson .

Then the cutout , you used a band saw and took 40 mins. Someone starting out may have to do it with a coping saw, or jig saw the result more time. These are things which a new carver needs to understand.

Your teaching the process, to truly understand the difference time has to be noted, and your doing an excellent job doing so. Quality of work and experence has to be learned, understanding the time involved also has to be learned. If you want a quality piece and your just learning then , expect the learning curve to be high.

Well done Mark .
Garry