First Attempts

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Please, please don't take this the wrong way, but unless you know these carvings have been produced by some one using a chainsaw, then they are not that impressive compared to traditional carving techniques. Do people buy them or commission them because of the skill involved by using a chainsaw or do they buy/commission them just because they are carvings?

 

he begs to not be taken the wrong way then goes and ruins it!

 

they lads a newbie, say something nice or shut up.

[pleasant]

he begs to not be taken the wrong way then goes and ruins it!

 

they lads a newbie, say something nice or shut up.

 

 

 

If you re-read my post you will note I wasn't being particular to this "newbie" but was a genuine question as to chainsaw carving generally. Maybe you would like to actually answer my question rather than read into something that quite clearly isn't there.

[woodsculptor]

Please, please don't take this the wrong way, but unless you know these carvings have been produced by some one using a chainsaw, then they are not that impressive compared to traditional carving techniques. Do people buy them or commission them because of the skill involved by using a chainsaw or do they buy/commission them just because they are carvings?

 

Not that impressive to you maybe but then that's art isn't it? Some people like exact replicas of real life objects and marvel at the skill while others, such as myself, are looking more for form and interpretation.

Take that croc for instance (which I think is fantastic). The roughness given to the shaping of the body due to the use of a chainsaw/novice carver perfectly captures the creatures spirit, it makes it look menacing and prehistoric. The form is great too which makes the piece successful in what it's trying to achieve without it being a carbon copy of a real one. It's a great carving regardless of the skill level of the carver.

 

Kim

[Ian C]

That is very nice work indeed, welcome to the site

 

The Lizard in pic one is cool!

[pleasant]

Not that impressive to you maybe but then that's art isn't it? Some people like exact replicas of real life objects and marvel at the skill while others, such as myself, are looking more for form and interpretation.

Take that croc for instance (which I think is fantastic). The roughness given to the shaping of the body due to the use of a chainsaw/novice carver perfectly captures the creatures spirit, it makes it look menacing and prehistoric. The form is great too which makes the piece successful in what it's trying to achieve without it being a carbon copy of a real one. It's a great carving regardless of the skill level of the carver.

 

Kim

 

Maybe if you had read my question correctly- I'm not saying it's not impressive for a chainsaw carving- then maybe you could have attempted to give me an answer to it.

[wisewood]

I think that Pleasant is referring to a lack of crispness in fine detail that can only really be achieved with very sharp chisels that burnish the wood as it is cut.

Yes there is great skill and merit in carving with a chainsaw and there are purists who just do that. Most though utilise various tools, angle and die grinders, blow torches and chisels too.

Personally, I can't help but pick up a chisel after the chainsaw but I think that is down to the way I learnt (chisels first).

I would agree with Kim, in that an energy, vitality can be achieved at a cruder level and often this can be lost or diluted if over worked and prettified.

[woodsculptor]

Maybe if you had read my question correctly- I'm not saying it's not impressive for a chainsaw carving- then maybe you could have attempted to give me an answer to it.

 

Maybe if you read my answer correctly you would have gleaned what I was saying about why some people like chainsaw carvings over traditionally tooled carvings. Which I believe was your initial enquiry.

 

I only use a chainsaw Simon although I've been tempted to use extras. I think its all about pushing myself with the saw as far as possible before I resort (that's maybe the wrong word) to using other tools. I want to master the saw completely first and hopefully by then I'll find little need to use anything else. I also really like pure chainsaw carvings.

 

Kim