First bear and the occasional owl.

[Woodreeve]

Hi all, this is the first time I've had the guts to post pics of my stuff on here but was wondering if some of you pros could critique my first proper bear. Been doing owls for a few months and they seem to be coming out ok. Any feedback welcome. Also started experimenting with plastic eyes and burning for a couple of Mother's Day orders.

 

 

 

Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

[splinters]

Good start. Now take your saw and start slashing up the serface of your bear. I know it will feel like the wrong thing to do but trust me as soon as you get the hang of creating a hairy effect it will transform your carvings.

Start at the bottom of one of the legs and with thevtip of the bar using one side of the chain just make small zig zags up and down just enough textureise the surface. Work your way over the whole body except the face. Make the zig zags folow the way the fir would lay so if an arm bends follow the curve. Once you have covered the whole bear go over it again th az n a thid time but heavier. This will give a good fir texture.

[Woodreeve]

Thanks splinters :-) I'll give it a go.

 

 

Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

[Goodpig]

I like the bear mate, I'm no pro and I've not carved a bear yet but I think he's pretty good.

Good proportions, gives him a high cuteness factor.

[dervishcarving]

the proportions of teh bear are good mate and thats a crucial stage

now you just need to move it out of the blocky stage into lifelike

Tom has given some pointers on adding fur. a good idea os to look at pictures of how the fur lies on a real bear (pick a species, they are nto all teh same)

adding the skin-rolls and the fur is a technique to learn, takes time and practice but once you get it you are well on teh way.

you also need to look at the face. its still pretty blocky but thats just 'cos you havent finished yet again, look at pictures on the 'net. I tend to look at skeletons first then muscles and then pictures of livign animals as i like to know how it works beneath the skin (im a scientist, its just how i am).

the final thing to learn are eyes and i HATE them. there is only 1 way its right, every other way is wrong. the trick is to learn the right way...and im still learning that one

just keep practicing,

if yer anythign like the rest of us, its impossible to stop carving anyway

[wisewood]

That's a good start, and good advice to follow up on.

I really like your log vice in the first pic too!

[Woodreeve]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, it's quite addictive eh.

 

Best wishes

 

Chris

 

 

Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

[NorfolknGood]

That 3rd picture is very Winnie the Pooh