Otter Carving advice

[abercarver]

Hi all,

 

Im looking at carving a standing otter on an fixed Oak butt.

 

Any advice on blocking out or producing this type of carving, I don't want to end up having a meerkat :-)

[Traydaloor]

My best advice would be to trawl the net for photos, get as many as you can from different angles. Print them off and study them, take measurements and scale them up to get your proportions correct.

 

When carving I find it helps to frequently step back and see how it looks, trial and error after that, remember you cannot put the wood back on lol

[wisewood]

Yes what he said:001_smile:

Play around with other materials like clay or homemade playdoe to work out posture etc.

You could practice on some other logs first and if they go wrong you'll have a batch of meercats to sell on:lol:

[abercarver]

Thanks guys. All great advice ill take on board.

 

Will put on some images over xmas time...as that's when im working on it :-)

[FriarsGorse]

Some months back I was asked if I could do an otter. I was a bit troubled that what I thought should be a fairly simple form could be a bit tricky to get right. Then suddenly on 29-4-13 Roni McDonald posted 'todays stump carve' ... a fantastic otter that I loved to bits. Unfortunately I loved it that much that it gave me a mental block as to how to do an otter any different from this !!! (Weird on my part maybe!) So I sent Roni a PM asking if I could use todays stump carve for "close reference", (trying very hard not to say can I copy it !??!) Roni's response was great suggesting ..."we all do a certain amount of copying and its nice when someone wants to replicate your work ... Good Luck." I think I am supposed to post some pics as part of the deal so now its finished here goes .... thanks a lot Roni... your attitude is very much appreciated and in turn Abercarver if my otter is of any use I can send you some photos ..... for close reference !!!

[abercarver]

Brilliant Carve friars and many thanks for its design. As you said it is fairly tricky to get any distinguishing features on an otter carve so it doesnt look like any other 'rodent' type.

 

Iv just started mine, similar size and body type so it looks like im on the right path. Iv changed the head slightly and gone for a more flat top approach. Hopefully it will come out smelling of roses. Its a slow carve i tend to go back to when i can to get some more done. (gives me time to look at it and work out the next stage)

 

Ill certainly add progress photos after a little more. The only stumbling block i came to was the legs and feet, deciding not to go to advanced and keep it simple. I love your approach.

 

As i progress i maybe asking your advice, many thanks friars and keep up the good work :-)

[dervishcarving]

v cute otter there friar, i love the face

[Goodpig]

Here's one I carved a while ago, was pretty chuffed with it.

[dervishcarving]

a couple of the otters i have carved... neither photo is a finished-shot but gives a good idea of them

the ring-one was carved from a trunk section with a hollow, otter chasing a fish, teh fish forming a bridge between nose and tail... looked fine but was very fragile

[abercarver]

Some very impressive carvings there! Great different types to, they are amazing ideas