[CV3]

In "carving tools" I did a post on a way to carving eye. I was not sure what I was going to do with the butternut block I did the test eyes in. It is a 2'x 2"x 8". I printed out a few draft copies and played with some ideas. I do that with sticks or blocks of wood when I am not sure of what I will do with them. It is a easy way to play with different concepts. I am going to do a green-man in the leaves.

 

[cobalt]

there are loads of images of the goes back way beyond the druids , a early religious form before the recognised churches used it for propaganda by religious organisations , but still is found on loads of churches around the country , A very old symbol used in pagan religion

A nice effort look forward to see how you finish it

 

[Rodney]

It should look good when you're done.

Rodney

 

[MJC4]

Excellent idea! Looking forward to how it turns out. I did a couple crude looking green men a year or so ago I want to do another now that my skills have improved a wee bit

 

[Batakali]

Nice! I've seen green men carved into trees,it's really something to behold! I've never seen proof but I believe the green men became wood spirit sticks.

 

[Gloops]

Interesting project randy, looking forward to seeing it grow and blossom.

 

[CV3]

I had some shop time today. Gave a general shaped to the green man topper and smoothed it out. I decided to go with maple leaves. I marked out the first one.

Then carved it out, I used different size gouges to make the curves in the leaves then connected the curves with a detail knife. When cutting in the curves I use a slight back and forth slicing movement instead of a plunge cut with the gouge. In woods like butternut you are less likely to get chip outs. I do that on all detail work when cutting in curves with a gouge in any wood.

Then I drew out the next two leaves over the eyes and cut them out and then started giving some shaped to all the leaves. This is the process I will follow to complete the rest of the leaves. Each of the leaves will have its own shape

 

[cobalt]

coming along slowly good to see work in progress

 

[CV3]

Was able to rough out 2 face leaves today.

 

[RandyL476]

Looking good!!!!

 

[cobalt]

It must be difficult working on the topper within the retsriants of the size ..interested to see its progress and how you finish it.

 

[CV3]

It must be difficult working on the topper within the retsriants of the size ..interested to see its progress and how you finish it.

It is a issue. That is why I am doing one or two leaf at a time. I can draw them in a scale to fit in the avalibe space as i go.

 

[CV3]

Working from top down added leaves to the back and carved in the mouth today. I will work on finishing the back area next.His beard will be made up of leaves and I will work on drawing them after the back is done.

 

[Gloops]

He's coming along nicely, great looking eyes.

 

[cobalt]

agree with glops his eyes are great

capturing the old stone masons style nice one

 

[CV3]

Completed the eyes. Went ahead with texturer. The contrast helps with seeing how I want to do the with the leaves.

.

 

[cobalt]

the contrast certainly made a difference but it is coming along nicely the eyes are very good

 

[CV3]

Tung oil finish. It will go on a maple stick .

 

[cobalt]

very nice job

good expression on the face paricularly like the eyes

I will try to incorporate a leaf into something for myself and its inspired me to incorporate ukibori on the leaf to see if i could get the viens of the leaf on it.

A very pagan symbol steeped in time love it .

 

[MJC4]

I am most impressed! I've been using a little bit of butternut lately, the grain really pops with the tung oil. Do U use a poly over the tung or leave the tung as the finish? Either way I gotta give the tung a try.