1st woodspirit

[jimp]

Since I enjoyed the Rick Jensen class and trying to carve bark, I thought that I would I would try a woodspirit in a piece of bark a guy in my club gave me.
I had some challenges with the eyes...like everybody does I guess. One of the biggest was that the bark kept flaking off on one of the eyes.
I\'ll take any suggestions and critiques!
Thanks!

Jim

[joepaulbutler]

Re: 1st woodspirit

Jim,
It is hard to hold detail, I have also found. the bark carves so easy that it is hard to remember to keep the cutting instrument sharp so you are cutting not crushing the fibers. I have used a product called POLYCRYL if I know that there will be a lots of detail. Helps, but not a cure all. . . JoeB

[Kadiddle]

Re: 1st woodspirit

I have found that some bark has decay and or grit between the layers. It will just fall off when you do not want it to. Superglue Gel it back on. But in your case in the eye area it would be a hard one to fix. Maybe go deeper and round off the rest of the face when you hit a more stable layer. Keep it fun.
Carve On,
Kadiddle

[Coffeeman]

Re: 1st woodspirit

Jim, the bark is lots of fun to carve, I often describe it as it like cutting into soft butter, need sharp tools though because of the barks soft layers, watch cutting of the nose, real easy to slip up and do that, super glue is a true friend when bark carving. By the way, I\'m from WNY to, Amherst area. Bill

[jimp]

Re: 1st woodspirit

Thanks for the suggestions!
I\'m learning with each new piece. Also, when I look at other carvings, I find myself saying \"Oh I wish I would have done that to mine!\" and then I try to remember for next time.
Bill, I am down in Chautauqua County near Fredonia.

Jim