Carving a simple Wood Spirit

[Paddytray]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10PCS-WOO...t=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item19c398bb8f
i brought this set they where just perfect for learning
however i did already have a sharpning stone

 

[phil1981]

hi i dont know what am doing but i thought that i would give it a go i got a bit of wood and i took the bark of it and left it to dry (in my home) but it has started to split is this from removing the bark before it had dryed out or is it from me drying it in the home.

 

[SOAR]

Hi, Probably bit of both tbh, its best to leave the wood to dry somewhere cool first, or if you carve it green keep it in a cool place or if you can in a open plastic bag in a cool place.

 

[phil1981]

thanks soar will try that

 

[browntrout]

Thats very nice indeed, great tutorial

 

[Sparrowmax]

Great tutorial. Thanks for posting

 

[CLEM]

This is damned difficult let me tell you, or maybe I'am just bloody rubbish at this I've seen the skills on display on this forum and I'am always impressed and thought I'am have a go myself. So I had a go for half hour or so, I took my Mora and sat out on the yard in the sunshine,like I say it's very difficult!

 

[crosslandkelly]

This is damned difficult let me tell you, or maybe I'am just bloody rubbish at this I've seen the skills on display on this forum and I'am always impressed and thought I'am have a go myself. So I had a go for half hour or so, I took my Mora and sat out on the yard in the sunshine,like I say it's very difficult!

So how did you get on, a Rodin or a Picasso. Post a pic, i'd like to see.

 

[CLEM]

So how did you get on, a Rodin or a Picasso. Post a pic, i'd like to see.

Definitely Picasso :-D lol

 

[John Fenna]

This is damned difficult let me tell you, or maybe I'am just bloody rubbish at this I've seen the skills on display on this forum and I'am always impressed and thought I'am have a go myself. So I had a go for half hour or so, I took my Mora and sat out on the yard in the sunshine,like I say it's very difficult!

Don't give up!
I use carving heads to test the versatility of a knife when I am writing reviews (clippers are great!) and although not classic "Wood-Spirits" my "Small Gods" are fun to carve.
With a good knife you can do almost everything that you can with cheap carving chisels
The third picture is of a "Large Goddess" that was commissioned for a play ("ugly, distorted, tribal carving of a woman giving birth") and it stands about 8" high. This took axe, saw knife and some carving chisels ... this kind of carving does get a bit addictive!

 

[crosslandkelly]

Definitely Picasso :-D lol

Eyes on one side, ears on the other? I feel your pain.

 

[crosslandkelly]

You've certainly captured her pain John.

View attachment 29385

 

[John Fenna]

She was a pain to carve too!
Four bits of fencepost glued together (I had not wood big enough) and finished with a stain made from Oak Galls, rust and vinegar with a coat of Linseed to give it a sheen.
Everyone thinks I based here rear on my Missus....

 

[CLEM]

Don't give up!
I use carving heads to test the versatility of a knife when I am writing reviews (clippers are great!) and although not classic "Wood-Spirits" my "Small Gods" are fun to carve.
With a good knife you can do almost everything that you can with cheap carving chisels View attachment 29381View attachment 29382View attachment 29383View attachment 29384
The third picture is of a "Large Goddess" that was commissioned for a play ("ugly, distorted, tribal carving of a woman giving birth") and it stands about 8" high. This took axe, saw knife and some carving chisels ... this kind of carving does get a bit addictive!

Thanks foe the encouragement Mr Fenna, I'll not give up. I shall have another go at it tomorow, I guess it's perhaps down to practice! Errr maybe

 

[crosslandkelly]

Everyone thinks I based here rear on my Missus....

My first recognisable spirits.

View attachment 29388 View attachment 29389 View attachment 29390 View attachment 29391

 

[CLEM]

My first recognisable spirits.

View attachment 29388 View attachment 29389 View attachment 29390 View attachment 29391

I deffinatley ain't putting a pic up now!!!

 

[crosslandkelly]

I deffinatley ain't putting a pic up now!!!

[video=youtube;yDVCWKx0hIM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDVCWKx0hIM[/video]

 

[Mal-J-Swaine]

Beautifully done, I'll defiantly apply this to my walking stick

 

[Andy_K]

Seriously cool!

Would love to see what you can do with some driftwood from the beach...

 

[Michael]

Great post, I have just joined the forum and am a regular woodworker; inspired by this article I took a piece of budlea from the garden and started to carve a small wood spirit. 4 hours later I returned from A&E with a well dressed wound on my middle finger and an appointment to fix the tendon I severed.
Three points I learn from this:
I am experienced with cutting tools and woodwork but a single lapse of concentration can be very costly
I hope this is not a bad omen??
It is interesting typing with only 3 fingers available on one hand


Mick