2x4 Wood Spirit

Nice progression. Keep up the good work!

Your carving is improving well done

Nice job on the face.

MJC4,

The stain and burning made the features "pop". Looks great!

Thanks guys.

I used some techniques I got from a video, Carving on the Corner by Gary McDaniel, (You Tube) and some other tips I got from the book Carving Wood Spirits beyond the basics. For me the wood spirits are truly fun to carve as no two are ever the same, at least the ones I do!!

Next one I do on 2x4 pine I think I will sand the pine block and stain it dark first before carving to get good contrast between the carved features and the wood.

MJC4 said:

Thanks guys.
I used some techniques I got from a video, Carving on the Corner by Gary McDaniel, (You Tube) and some other tips I got from the book Carving Wood Spirits beyond the basics. For me the wood spirits are truly fun to carve as no two are ever the same, at least the ones I do!!
Next one I do on 2x4 pine I think I will sand the pine block and stain it dark first before carving to get good contrast between the carved features and the wood.

Click to expand...

MJC4 You may want to carve your basic form first. Sand that then stain. Then the detail will stand out.
But pine does not stain evenly most of the time. So the depth of the stain penetration will very making it hard to judge what will stand out.

Thanks for the tip CV3. Carve the face and sand/stain before hair, mustache and beard detail carved.

I have learned about "blotchy wood" the hard way. Pine and soft maple are the two I have had negative experiences with. I now use a pre stain wood conditioner on those two species.

Seems to me you are going ahead by leaps and bounds. Good work.

Excellent work. It's good to see other people's efforts. It inspires and gives ideas-especially your burn highlight.

I like that you showed the progression on this piece..... You done a really good job! Thanks for sharing.