Don't start, Don't learn, Don't laugh.

[Grump]

I watched a couple of the vids of the carving guy in your other post, very interesting to watch. It's getting there Brian, better than my wood spirit stick when I had a go. You've got the basics and the proportions are there, what wood is it you're using, looks like pine?

Yes it is pine an old reject stair soldier I cocked up cutting it too short enuf.
Waste not want not init?

 

[Dalboy]

If you can't get lime which is great to carve try tulip wood that cuts nice and clean.

 

[paulm]

I certainly wouldn't take the p1ss Brian I think that its a great thing that you're learning a new craft and starting out is never easy. Its amazing what your doing and I can clearly see a panda there

Bob. Is the first one Chas?

 

[Indie Shed]

The one in the middle looks like Brian Blessed, but all three are great, Bob.

 

[Grump]

They look great to me Bob, nicely proportioned well defined, dunno about finishing them they look finished to me, I know the Toby in the middle pic dun eye?
The eyes are what I got really wrong but I know what I did wrong, getting the football is what I should have gone for but found out to late.
Another effort tomorrow maybe a fresh branch and try it on some green wood might be interesting to watch it shrink and split as it dries.

 

[Paul]

Good one fella. If you get the midlands show the £1 tool stool had a set of small carving tools for a quid at the Kent show.

 

[Vic Perrin]

Vic took the words out of my mouth. Take away the beard and I'm sure there's a likeness

That's a great 1st attempt Brian, you should be well pleased with it, so this time next week we can expect a full blown statuette?

Just a thought. If you don't mind doing a bit of heat treatment you can make an extremely useful hook knife or scorp. I have a Pfeil full round scorp which is great but also one identical to this Erik Frost double edged one which is a delight to use. I've seen home made ones just bent out of hacksaw blades and just as useful.

I watched a guy at the South East Show using one of these making Scoops. The finish that he got with it was fantastic. I have had a couple of goes at this sort of work but my artistic skills let me down yet again. I have carved a couple of house name signs satisfactory but they were just straight cuts and I was following stencilled lines. It certainly seems to be a rewarding hobby and the carvings that I have seen have all be superb. I can say though I can whittle a decent point on a pencil !

Vic

 

[donwatson]

Great start Grump These are ideal starters and you get a deal of artistic licence with them.
We had a demonstrator at the club and he did an owl on a pen blank in less than 5 minutes. He knew the sequence of cuts and it looked dead simple.
It does take a while to learn but you have made a great start, well done.

 

[Dalboy]

Another video that I found very usefull for using knives is this one.

 

[Jimjam66]

Nice beginning, dad. It's recognisably a face which is better than I could accomplish. Onwards and upwards init?

 

[Indie Shed]

Brian, I have a piece of Tulipwood, I can cut you a couple of blanks out and bring them to York for you if you like.

 

[bassethound]

That looks bloody good to me Brian!

 

[Grump]

Brian, I have a piece of Tulipwood, I can cut you a couple of blanks out and bring them to York for you if you like.

OOhh Lovely thanks many muchly init?

 

[chas_41_uk]

A good first attempt Brian

 

[Phil Dart]

Can't see any pi55 to take Brian. Everyone has to start somewhere, you've just had the balls to show your first attempt. Looking forward to the second attempt.