Carving a Golf Tee Wood Spirit

[Preacher2nc]

Here is a tutoria to go along with my post in General Wood carving entitled "My version of Cracker Barrel's Peg Game". I will try to be as clear as possible.

1. I always start with the line for the bottom of the nose. You may do it any way you like, but this works well for me, whether I am carving a golf tee or a pencil. I just like it this way.

I do this simple by placing the blade on the tee and rocking it back and forth while applying pressure. Then I make an angled slicing cut up to the stop cut and it takes out this little chip.

[Preacher2nc]

2. Next I outline the nose. I always start off with the nose. Again. I use just the tip of the blade to make the initial line and then take out just a sliver on either side of the original cuts.

[Preacher2nc]

3. Here I make another slicing cut to outline the mouth lines. I do this on either side. THe angle depends on whether I am looking for a smiling mouth or a frown. I make to opposing cuts so as to basically imitate a v cut with a chisle.

4. Next I make the outline of the mouth. HEre you can see a slight hint of a smile.

[Preacher2nc]

5. Next is the cut on either side of the nose for the eyes. I simply take out a chip here. At this size I do not usually worry about carving detailed eyes.

6. Next I carve down the bridge of the nose. This starts to give the face a little more form. (THe last picture shows this.)

[Preacher2nc]

7. In the first photo you can see a line I have removed at the top, above the eyes. This is the edge of the eyebrows.

8. In the last two photos you can see that I removed the paint from the bottom lip. This is done by very carefully slicing just the top off the surface. Also if you look just below the bottom lip you will see a thin line. This is where I have outlines the bottom of the beard.

[Preacher2nc]

9. in the first pic you can see a cut I made to define the cheek, just above the mouth line.

10. The last pic shows a small chip I removed to separate the eyebrows.

[Preacher2nc]

11. in the first photo you can see the slices I made in the mustache and beard. Again, these are opposing cuts which result in a small v shaped chip.

12. the last two pics show the cuts I made for the hair. THese are each made with only two cuts in order to keep the cuts clean.

[Preacher2nc]

After some minor touch up, here is the finished product. I made very small cuts in the eyebrows which may not be noticeable in the photo, but would be noticeable in person.

I have also included some pics of the knife I used, and the smal pile of chips made in the carving. As you can see there is not a lot of wood that has been removed, but then again, there is not too much wood to begin with.

TO see the finished product, and view my 13 other golf tee carvings go to my thread located in the General Carving section, entitled, "My Version of Cracker Barrel's Peg Game"


****Disclaimer*****

THOUGH I ACCOMPLISHED THIS FEAT WITHOUT SLICING MY FINGERS, I IN NO WAY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RISK YOU UNDERTAKE IN THIS PROJECT OR THE RESULTING MEDICAL BILLS. MINIATURE WORK TAKES PATIENCE, AND IS JUST A PRONE TO INJURY AS ANYTHING ELSE. ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN WHEN TRYING THIS OR ANY OTHER CARVING PROJECT.


Have fun!!!!!

[tnartist05]

Very neat!! I like your little carvings!

Forrest

[Riverman]

Thanks Mark, I like the great carving and tutorial!
Bob