[Irish]

Step 255: I have finished the fuzzbunny stage, I'll show you that in just a moment. But I have done a light sanding over everything. So I want that sanding photo then when the project is clean I will have a nice finished surface to make fuzz bunny notes with.

Step 256: Now it needs a good, hard dusting. I am about to put on the first coats of finish so I don't want any dust at all. If you have an old toothbrush in your kit that works great. Some work shops have air compressors that will clean out the dust. Sometimes I use the canned air for the computer for very tight dusting in the under cuts.

Step 257: I did all of the little touch up that I had noted earlier in the fuzz bunny stage. But I found a few more that I want to point out. Where you will need work during this stage, I don't know. But maybe by seeing what I thought was important to fuss over might help you decide what you want to trim up.

1. I opened the gap in the stem roll a little more with my veining gouge. I thought the gap in the left side was deeper than the right, so I adjusted the right side gap.

2 My stem on the face side where it runs along the edge of the leaf seemed very square to me. So I got my chisel and rolled this stem more, both on the face side and back side.

3. When I was cleaning up a couple of the mustache v's I decided t o put a little undercut under the corner of the lip mustache. This adds just a tiny touch of dark shadow at the mouth corners.

4. Because I shaped and veined the leaf lobes before I cut the under cuts beneath the beard my veins did not go under the beard area. They stopped short! So I got my v-gouge and carried those veins right underneath and into the under cut area.

5. My center vein at the tip also stopped short so I carried this vein down the leaf tip with my v-gouge.

As you work the fuzz bunny stage you might also want to add more v's to the beard, add more eye brow hair or add more v-gouge strokes to the beard. All of these areas can be increased with more work.

.

[Irish]

Step 258: Sign your work! Absolutely, every time, always! I am signing mine with a pencil on the back. You can also carve your initials or name into this area.

Step 259: I am going to use my favorite finish, boiled linseed oil. I have clean newspapers down on my table and then a piece of scrap board then my carving. Oil can move the printer's ink of newspaper so the scrap board protects the work. In the pan I have mixed one part boiled linseed oil with one part turpentine. You can also use paint thinner or mineral spirits for the thinner.

Stir the mix well, don't shake as you don't want bubbles.

Brush one coat to the face of the work ... Now, for me that means flood the wood so that I have some nice puddles! Be generous.

Step 260: When you have it nicely swimming in oil go back and continue to brush over the carving. Move the heavy puddles out into areas where the oil is disappearing quickly.

Step 261: Wipe everything with a clean, lint free cloth to remove the excess. Now set this aside for an hour or two ... the front porch is a good place so that you don't stink up the studio.

OK ... this is where one of my editors would say to me "Susan, is that a cotton cloth or synthetic?" And I would reply "Well, BobD, it's cotton, any old t-shirt will work wonderfully and old cotton socks work great too!"

And when this first coat has set awhile turn the piece over to do the back.

Step 262: I have worked my second coat of oil and it's ready to set until tomorrow.

There are two things you should know about boiled linseed oil finish ... it has the big disadvantage that it will yellow the wood over time. But it also has a huge advantage ... it will yellow the wood over time Yep!

As this plain Jane no character basswood plaque ages the linseed oil finish will add more and more color and charm to your carving.

When you are finished with the oil in each step take your newspaper and rags outside. These are very flamiable. I will soak the rags and paper when I am completely done is soapy water to break the oil down.

.

[Irish]

Step 263: That's all, Folks!

If you have read all of this and gotten to this particular posting ... !

Thank you for your indulgence as I had a blast doing this fun little carving. Thank you for letting me ramble on and on about one of my most favorite ways of self-expression that I have found in the art world - wood carving. And for all the things I have 'learned' and 'rememberer' doing this tutorial.

As a teacher and as a long time carver it's great to return to the most basic steps and refreshen my own knowledge of what goes into a wood carving.

I hope that somewhere in all this stuff that you perhaps found one idea, one technique or one method of work that you will be able to use in your carving.

If you do get a chance to carve this little oakman/grapeman wood carving I would love to see it. Please feel welcome to post him here

Sincerely, Thank you.

Susan Irish

[Old_Gord]

Thank you Susan, the time and effort you have spent on this carving tutorial is greatly appreciated.
It's a teriffic step by step for new and old carvers.
Thank you.

.

OG

[Tidewalker]

OK WHATS NEXT? LOL thanks so much Susan

[Linda L]

Susan I am so impressed and grateful for your work here. Sounds like you enjoyed it as much as we who are following do. That's probably why it is such a great tutorial!

As a beginner, I have managed to aquire way too many books, always looking for that elusive, easy to understand instruction. Instead spend $$$ for the book, "How to Carve "XXX" in 20 pages, 10 of which are other ways to do the same thing. Much rather have a book on a single carving that takes me step by step and adds a bit of the author's humor and "humaness" to it!

Many authors, especially those looking to the beginning carver could learn a lot from your tutorial. It is SO appreciated. What a special gift you have given us.

Thanks for boosting my confidence, from a humble beginner!

Linda

[squbrigg]

Beautiful work as usual Susan. I believe that the greatest work that you are doing is encouraging new carvers in their quest to find their basic skills. For taking the time to accomplish this, for new and "not so" new carvers, I thank you.

BobD...... there should be a special medal this wonderful lady recieves in recognition for all of her efforts in advancing the cause of woodcarving! I'm sure we can all think of a few more deserving members, but Susan always goes above and beyond in my opinion!

Thank you Susan. My respects ma'm, you are a special person and we are very lucky to have you with us.

Bob

[Kenny_S]

Smashing Piece Susan. Jolly good showing of your steps also.

[jax]

Thanks for the "demo".......this is now on my "to-do" list.

Jax.

[Muad´Dib]

Hi Susan!! thanks for your great work!! Im from Argentina and i cant find your books here... actually woodcarving books doesnt exist here... and what for you is just fine here is very expensive because our coin worth 3 times less than yours... if you can help me finding something it would be great....