my first attempt at carving... need some pointers

[mhguitar4]

i have always been fascinated by wood carvings, so i decided to try it out for myself. so here is my first attempt at carving. i modeled it after a wood carving from poland that a friend gave me. i really enjoyed the process, but i think it came out very badly. as you can see, alot of the cuts are extremely rough and messy looking, especially in grooves. i tried smoothing them out but no matter how hard i try they just look messy. also, the mustache didnt come out as i hoped. any pointers you guys can give me for my next attempt, or is practice just the key to this art?

[carver33]

I would think that the first two key components of carving are good, sharp tools and practice. Not sure what tools you used, but search on sharpening on this forum and the web for lots of advice and numerous methods for sharpening carving tools - this too requires practice. Along with sharpening, a decent carving knife and/or gouges are a necessity; a cheap pocket knife won't cut it (pun intended).

Next, keep practicing - you'll find that it comes easier with just abut every new piece. Along with that, don't be afraid to round your carvings - take a look at figures in real life - they don't generally have large flat surfaces and sharply rounded corners; they're usually fully rounded.

Your first figure is not a bad start, but has the opportunity to practice a little more with properly sharpened tools.

Finally, if you don't feel comfortable attempting to sharpen, I believe Little Shavers Wood Carving Supply offers a sharpening service.

[Claude]

Good advice! Specifically, Google "scary sharp" for info on sharpening.

You don't mention where you are located; that would help us offer some more help. Look over on the left side of the screen. Under WCI Community, is Carving Clubs. Click on this and then enter you state/province and see if any carving clubs are within driving distance. If they are, contact one and go visit on a carving night and ask them for advice also. You will likely be given a chance to try some really sharp tools, receive instruction on how to sharpen, and some clubs even sell cutouts or roughouts.

Claude

[mhguitar4]

im a student at uconn in storrs, ct. unfortunately, no club is close enough to for to go consistently. i started this carving with my pocket knife, but it is a 4" blade so it was clumsy and also not "carving sharp". i purchased a murphy knife which im pretty happy with and it cuts the wood with ease, but being a beginner im still not sure if it is carving sharp. i have a three stone sharpener and a crappy walnut hollow carving knife that i can practice sharpening on.

[carver33]

Unless I'm mistaken, Coventry isn't that far away. You might want to contact:

Mystic Carvers Club
Contact: Warren J. Blessing Jr.
309 Woodbridge Rd
Coventry, CT 06238
US
warren@ctvalleywc.com

and see about attending a meeting or even getting in contact with a member who might live somewhat closer to you. If a picture is worth a thousand words, one on one contact has got to be worth at least a million.

[rickm]

no expert but it look as if yr knife should be sharper, also you need to round off some of those square edges. noses are round etc. keep working at it and look at some of the galleries for inspiration

[Michael Short]

I second Bill's comment on the carving club. Even if you can not make it all of the time it is a great resource. I hooked up a few months ago and had not carved before and I have to say it is the best thing for me. Everyone is very helpful. They have shown carving, sharpening and painting and I have made a new set of friends as a bonus. I have sharpened my knives all my life but had not sharpened as mentioned as scary sharp. Sharp tools definitely are a key to success in carving. Good luck and I look forward to seeing more of your carvings. Their is alot of helpful talent on this forum.

Mike

[Midnight Carver]

You've been given some great advice. If you get the chance, I think it would definately be worth going to a carving group, even if it's just once or twice. It will give you the chance to find out what a sharp knife really feels/cuts like, to watch others carve and maybe find someone closer to you. Also, there are some outstanding videos on youtube to help you get started.
As beginners, many of us (myself included) are afraid of removing too much wood. Once you start getting past this your carvings will end up rounder and your cuts will be better defined. You could have rounded the head more and taken more off the sided of the head to help it fit "into" the hat instead of being at the same level.
It is a good attempt for your first. I would sign, date, and keep it. It's something nice to look back at to see how much you have improved over time. Hope to see more from you

Eric

[mhguitar4]

thanks for the advice guys. i have emailed the mystic carving club to get some info... but i think they are based in mystic so im not sure why the address is in coventry. ill work on sharpening my tools and keep practicing.

-Mike