Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Practice Makes...A Little Bit Better




I'm still trying to figure out carving in the round. This is a practice piece for one of the items on my bucket list. It doesn't resemble the original very much, but I'm learning a lot in the process:

1) Keep the center pencil line until you're finished. It helps with symmetry.

2) Sharpen your knife all the way to the tip. I used the very end of my knife more than I ever thought I would.

3) It might help to sketch the project first. I was using a photo, but I think it would have helped to draw the project in profile and straight on.

4) Eyes are hard.

Another thing I've found with carving—maybe the best thing—is that even if you have only 5 minutes at hand, you can sit down and work on your piece.

Imagine the time you waste waiting for your spouse to get all gussied up to go out to dinner. That's time that can be spent working on your project.

You may discover that you enjoy it so much, you'll find yourself saying to him/her, "Why not wear that red sweater instead? You know, the one you packed away last year. In the upstairs closet. Under the boxes of books. That's right, behind the entertainment center. No, no, I don't mind waiting."

10 comments:

Bob Tinsley said...

Lookin' good, Kari! Eyes aren't really all that hard with the proper guidance. Take a look at the tutorial on Don Mertz' Woodbee Carver site, http://woodbeecarver.com/?page_id=582
I think you'll find it very useful. I did.

Bob

Kari Hultman said...

Thanks Bob! I need all the help I can get. My guy looks awfully boring--needs some expression.

Ethan said...

I think he looks rather pensive, Kari.

Gary Roberts said...

Ok Kari, carving in the round is not hard. Just follow these steps:

You put your right foot in
You put your right foot out
You do the hokey-pokey and your turn yourself around
That's what it's all about

See? Not too difficult after all.
Gary

The Great Ethan Allen said...

Looks Great! Remember it's only done when you want it to be. And no one can tell you that you are "wrong" except you. Does that make sense?

Kari Hultman said...

My carving looks rather boring actually! He needs some personality. But I'll keep trying. :o)

Woodbloke said...

Hi Kari - play him a Manilow track...bound to cheer him up! - Rob

Shazza said...

He's got great nostrils!

carverswoodshop said...

the carving is looking good , faces are difficult, but looks like you got the hang of it, happy and safe carving,
arleen

Kari Hultman said...

Rob--that's a great idea!!

Thanks, Shazza. :o)

Arleen, thanks for the encouragement. I have a LOT to learn, but it's very fun trying to figure it out.