ronnyrocket

Loove the OWl, Great start. Practice EYES on a potato.

Nice and clean look to it. I suppose that it is worth more in certain parts of the country than in others.

Here in Michigan we are required by law to wear "Blaze Orange" colors so we don't shoot each other during Deer Hunting Season. Every carving will exceed the previous work. "All human behavior is developmental" In other words, we intuitively seek to improve, in spite of ourselves. I like the flower, it has a nice touch and pleasant to look at. All I ever see here in the states is, Eagles and Bears. BTW, If you can draw it, you can carve it.

The rythmn in the lines you've created flow from the beak of the bird to the tail and add a lot of interest and continuity to the carving. Very Nice!..

I love your style. Lots of rythmn in your eagle and fish. You ARE an Artist and your work sets a standard that I would like to aspire to. Awsome work. I'm gratefull that you are here and sharing your work. The Yank from Michigan, Ron.

Here in the States, "Bass Wood" is a favorite amongst carvers. It is a soft wood that carves like butter. In many instances a Mallet isn't necessary. Pretty stable after finishing.

I'd wear the shield with the surgical particle mask. BTW, the eyes on that "TIKI" will be your next challenge. Master the eye and everything else falls in to place.

Want to learn how to carve?........Carve! It takes some repetition over time, to develop a mindset that is able to see things in "Reflief." That is the ability to intuitively anticipate what chunks or portions to remove in order to allow another portion to be revealed. That takes practice that only your "Head and Hand" can do. Like learning to ride a bike. I can tell you all the tricks in the world about bike riding, but how do I explain to you the dynamics of balance and workings of the human inner ear and spacial and balance judgement....I can't. You gotta get on the bike...you gotta fall, over and over but, before the day is over, You'll be riding that bike. Everyone here has made their fair share of Kindling that was once a high hoped attempt. Try this, Carve it out of a large Potato first with a kitchen knife. Then go to a large chunk of wood. Do not give up. Desire is half the battle.

Spot on! replacing the moisture (water) with oils prevents the cells from shrinking. I use boiled linseed oil to replenish the wood.

That's what I'm talking about! That nice illustration to the left of your reply. That aircraft literally saved the free world.

Aye! M8. The Merlin V-12 (A bit of Brit genius) saved the free world from the dominance of the German Luftwaffe. When they shoehorned that thing into a Supermarine Spitfire, the Krauts knew immediatley they where no match for it. The Beatles saved music in America with a fresh new sound and brilliant songwriting. This Forum saved my self esteem with encouragement and support, I so desperatley needed. Did I mention how much we fell in love with Princess Di?...Cheers!

Well, what makes wood, wood is the cellular structure it is composed of. Those cells contain moisture that must be slowly evaporated by a Kiln thereby, causing the wood to shrink inevitably splitting as more and more space is created between the individual cells. Ideally, about 5-7% moisture content is preferred by the woodworkers I talk to. Premium Kiln dried Oaks, Mahoganys, Etc. Will split on the ends. However, when you go to the lumber supplier, those spits are often cut off. What you buy is, a dressed up length of lumber. That's why finish cabinet makers will often rely upon cross laminated substrates and then expertly cover them with Veneers. Now please, if I'm going to make a table out of a SOLID piece of Oak, I'll cut it off the log on a 45 degree diagonal cut thereby, changing the direction of the grain and minimizing splits. Now having said all that, I expect splits, I simply work with it and tell others it's part of the natural characteristic of the wood to incurr some splitting. If you don't want it period! Then you're simply talking to the wrong bloke.

DUUHHH! Shame on my Dumb_ss.

OK! You guys win. I'm gonna do some fine detailing and make a hand carved Rosary to fit. I'll probably donate it to the local Catholic Church. "Mary" is a revered, iconic, figure for us Mackeral snappers "Catholics".

FYI, I'm very impressed with the willingness of you people to share ideas and techniques with each other selflessly. I've only been a member for a few days and have only made perhaps, a dozen posts. So far, You people readily and willingly compliment and encourage each other with honesty and generosity in your praise. You quickly respond favorably and without negativity. I now have 3 things to thank the UK for, The Beatles, Rolls Royce Merlin V-12, and this forum. The Yank from Michigan, Ron.

BTW, help an ignorant worthless Yank out. What's "LOTR?

OHHHHHHH YEAAAAAAA! I love it! Full of technique, effort, creativity. Unlike, the usual lazy approach, I see in far to many Chainsaw efforts by others. As we say in the States, "You da Man"...

You're right "Spot on" I used the stone statue as a guide for ratio and proportion. My next project is a "Cigar Store Indian" during the 1800's in the Wild West of America. An Indian was often seen standing in front of general stores selling hand made cigars. Thus, the "Iconic" Cigar Store Indian became a fixture of legendary western folklore in the U.S. A hand carved, cigar store indian, is a highly sought after, prized, collectable item by the materialistic personalities that dominate U.S. culture.

I don't know about the U.K. but, in the U.S., their is a place in California called "Bailey's" and they sell all manner of woodcutting instruments, tools, accessories for logging, woodcutting, sawing, chopping, etc. etc. They're a huge outfit. They specialize in Kits to convert any general purpose saw into a Carving saw. However, I'm in favor of your idea, It don't have to be a "Carving saw" to have fun and get a good start.

One cannot just change bars and realize the same capability as the pros. A Carving bar (Often called a "Dime tip") here in the states, utilizes a 1/4 pitch chain that ALSO requires a different sprocket to drive the chain. It's the smaller chain and carving bar tip that facilitates the operator to create detail. Therefore, one would have to change Bar, Chain, Sprocket to have a dual purpose saw. Finally, you cannot effectively "Block In" a carving with a saw that has only about 25-30 cc's of power. "The wrong tool for the wrong job" is the perfect formula for serious, life threatening injury.

I love your bench. I'd spray the lettering in with a good long lasting enamel "Black", "Dk. Brown", maybe even "Red" then, take a Belt sander and some 80 grit paper and sand the surface back to a smooth natural wood finish. Seal it with a good popular outdoor product in clear. You'll be surprised at the dramatic effect that has.

Actually, the chain has to be loose enough for the cutting edge of the tooth to rock and pivot on the adjoining link. That is crucial in allowing the leading edge of the tooth to bite and penetrate into the wood. The trailing link then assures a cleaning out of the debris. However, after the chain and bar heat up significantly additional slack will be created from heat expansion. Thus, creating the impression that the operator forgot to adjust the chain tension properly.

You can create interesting shadowing and highlights by using stain run through an airbrush. I use (Get this) "Coffee" Burnt wood looks like just that...Burnt Wood.

Now that's an Artist in every classical sense of the term. Beautiful work! World class effort. I'm humbled indeed.

That is my very first go at "Chainsaw Carving" I put an outrageous price tag on the art object to infuriate the "American Opportunistic Sharpies" that see only dollar signs and not art. I did this in my driveway at home and "Everyone" wanted to know, How Much? I was selling it for. Only one person stopped and admired the carving for its artistic expression. Thus....the refrerence to money that you noted. Yeh! I live in America in the wrong century.