Easter Island Head

[GeeSaw]

Easter Island Head..

 

[dervishcarving]

proper! I had a commission to do one of these but then it changed into a dragon instead... I would have preferred to do one of these. There is something very pleasing about the shape. What wood is this? lovely finish

[GeeSaw]

Many thanks deverishcarving, I’d defiantly recommend giving one of these a go if you get the chance

The only thing I’d say to watch out for is the depth of your cuts or you may end up compromising the other features of the head.

 

The wood is from a poplar after some high winds took the tree out a few years ago.

It's quite a soft wood to work with and can get a little fluffy + it requires quite a bit of sanding for a smooth finish.

Although this type of wood is prone to natural cracking I thought it went well with this carving adding a

bit more of an authentic look like the original stone statues.

I’m still chin scratching on what to treat the wood with so the finish is completely natural at the moment.

[dervishcarving]

Ah, my owl/rabbit piece from a while back is poplar (wind damaged also, they seem prone to that). I finished it with linseed oil. Expensive but gives a nice hard finish

[Stephen Blair]

I would of never believed that was wood!

Fantastic:thumbup1:

[delabodge]

really like that, well done,,,

[TimberArt]

If it is the same kind of poplar we have in the USA it is very soft. They also call it a tulip tree. A few that I primered in oil base and painted in enamels only lasted about 6 years outside. I would think a deep penetrating oil thinned out for the first few coats to soak in deep then some full stregth coats on top followed by yearly maintenence would hold up better. Very nice carving!!!