Two WIP's

William · #1 08-07-2008, 01:27 PM

Red Cedar is really a beautiful wood, it cracks bad and the dust is toxic but the natural color is wonderful. The Lion is made of red and white cedar and it's about half done, the finish will be all natural with just a clear coat of teak oil finish. I spent a lot of time on the clay model and then started changing things while carving the wood but it was still very helpful. (8.5" tall with base x 12" wide)

Most of my clay is tied up in the lion so the reference for the bust carving was done in basswood and it's about 1/3 the size of the planned carving and it will be used for pattern pictures and reference. The good thing about doing the reference in wood is that when the large bust is finished the reference can be a gift for someone. The reference is 3" wide x 4.5" tall with base x 2" deep, the large bust will be 9" wide and about 14" tall with base.
The bust was carved using the few pictures I could find of the life size white marble sculpture by Hiram Powers in 1864 known as "The Id eal Christ".

HappYTrails
Bill
^v^
ps; I just retired and am having a really great time carving

WoodcarverDave · #2 08-07-2008, 01:55 PM

Excellent job on both carvings. Keep up the great work.

achaundy · #3 08-07-2008, 02:00 PM

Bill;
Glad you posted your work, it is certainly an inspiration to be seeing some real works of art. Excellent carvings.
Skip

Mottles · #4 08-07-2008, 03:51 PM

Wow, excellent on both carvings Bill. Beautiful work!
Kathy

Simplyme · #5 08-07-2008, 04:59 PM

"reference for the bust carving"
Are you kidding me. I would be very satisfy if I could just do that reference....Can't wait to see the bust done.

P.S. I would gladly accept that gift

cannuckcarver · #6 08-07-2008, 05:08 PM

Wow...
Thanks for sharring...

Ron T · #7 08-07-2008, 09:20 PM

Hi Bill,

Your carving are coming along very nicely. The bust is excellent work.

Enjoy your retirement, er, I guess you already are.

Eddy Smiles · #8 08-07-2008, 09:38 PM

I'm with Simplyme!

Joy · #9 08-08-2008, 08:47 AM

I love the way cedar finishes....but it is "iffy" to carve. That is a neat idea adding the Leo constellation.

William · #10 08-08-2008, 10:13 AM

Thank you all for the compliments and inspiration, I'm definitely going to finish these two and not let them end up on the shelf with the other 12 almost finished carvings. Thanks for the 5 stars, I never did know how that works but it's a first for me.

Simplyme, I have heard that a wood carver first gets GOOD then gets FAST and I'll admit it's a little discouraging to visit the forum and see someone post a great looking carving and say "I did this last night" or "in a few hours" and to use your words, I think, "Are you kidding me!!!" I hate to admit just how much time was spent on that small bust taking off super small chips with micro tools being very careful not to overcut. I've decided to slow down and concentrate my efforts on the good part but at my age I don't think fast is in my future. Thank you and Eddy for the kind words.

Thanks Ron T, I hope the large bust will be the best thing I've ever done and set a standard for future work and you are right I'm really enjoying the retirement.

Hi Joy, I understand that "iffy" part about cedar, with a sharp knife you can cross that grain change point with basswood and get away with it but cedar is not so forgiving. I'm a Leo and thought it would be nice for my collection. Here is another cedar WIP, it's red and white cedar, the hat is redwood and the base is plum and basswood. A real mix of woods in this one, it will be natural finish too.

HappY Trails and thanks to all
Bill
^v^