[mikeGinSC]

Here's my latest little project. The toothpick is there for scale. Critique is welcome as this will be my first animal. This is a scrap of well seasoned Mtn Laurel.

Mike G. in SC

[tnartist05]

I can see a bear there! Bring him on out! Laurel is a harder wood plus a really white wood that doesnt take stains too well! Will be ckn on your bear as he comes along. So far,good work! Forrest

[gene messer]

Mike .. I agree with Forrest .. Your getting there and keep working on it .. Your showing progress real well ..

Gene

[Eddy Smiles]

Mike.... Great effort.... Gene and Forrest are the mentors around here so as a fellow whittler the only thing that I would add is that for a beginning carver you might think about something mite larger to start on, then work your way down.... say around 1.5"x1.5"x4" or so. Send me a PM with your regular email address on it and I'll send you a 100% fool proof pattern that any beginning whittler can attempt.

Also, if you take your carving outside and photograph it you won't get that flash reflection that you're getting and your detail will show up much, much, better!

[mikeGinSC]

Thanks for the kind comments. The last carving I posted, Golfer, is stained Mtn Laurel. I mix a little BLO with the stain and it helps the wood take the stain more evenly.

Mike G. in SC

[sharon cottrell]

Nice little bear!

[mikeGinSC]

Well here's some progress, albeit not much. I think I'm needing some help here.

Mike G. in SC

[Mottles]

Hi Mike, yep that's a bear all right! Good effort keep going.
Kathy

[mikeGinSC]

Perhaps I'm being too critical, but it's looking kind of clunky to me right now. Thanks,

Mike G. in SC

[Eddy Smiles]

Sometimes it helps to walk away from a project for awhile and then come back to it and then take a fresh look..... Was that info that I emailed you helpful?