3rd lot of work on my Second Carving...

My second carving after a 3rd lot of work...

Still a bit of work to go...

Found a fellow carver over the weekend...

Over the weekend I went to a shared lunch that our local church organized, and while there I met someone who has been in the carving and furniture making business for quite some time.

He was very helpful, and provided me with a few tips, and a couple of bits of wood to practice carving with, and indicated that he had more wood I could have if I had a particular project in mind, once I had a bit more experience.

It was definately very nice to find an experienced wood carver that I can bring questions too, and he seems eager to share his knowledge, so that is quite good.

When I mentioned that my first two attempts at carving have been in Radiata Pine, he indicated that pine was particularly difficult to carve with, so hopeful the wood he has provided will be easier.

My Second Carving Attempt... Part 2

My Second woodcarving after a second lot of work...
Taking quite a while and I think my next purchase is going to be a sharpening stone. My tools are still cutting away at the wood reasonably well, but not as well as they were...

There definately is alot more wood to cut away with this carving, as opposed to my First Wood Carving, but I am hopping it is going to be worth it once I have finished.

My next step will probably be to copy the pattern onto the other side, so I can start cutting in from that side as well...

My First Carving Attempt...

Trying to follow the Pattern for the Santa Study Stick that I found through the Beginners Carving Corner and Beyond: Beginners tutorials and links that I mentioned in my previous Post.

I started with a piece of wood that I found under the house (wich probably isn't the best place to start). As a result, while I can guess that it is probably pine, I do not know for sure.

I started the first few cuts, and then progressed on with the carving, only realizing too late that I had made the face too small. Instead of extending back about 2/3rds of the way into the wood, my carving only extends a little under 1/2 way. Well, I guess that is what they call the learning process...

I haven't finished yet, but this is where I was up to when I finished off last night.