A Better Man . . .

[Rodster]

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It might not be obvious from the pictures, but this little guy is 'a better man:' the best of my four inch carvings. Here are the differences I observed (how I have improved over the last few months).

Thanks to TBox61 for his tip on using a detail knife for the important cuts. You can see his influence on the cuts for the coat, sweater and shirt. They are deep and distinctive. Your eye is drawn to them. Because of this, they are effective.

Thanks to Doug Outside for his video on carving the little man. My little guy was carefully carved to make the legs narrower than the hands hanging down. I finally learned his lesson.

Carving legs is hard (when there isn't much to carve). This time I have done a good job on the bum, the shaping of the legs, the cut to separate the legs and the cuffs of the pants.

Thanks to Don Moore at my club who showed me how to use a paint wash more effectively. And thanks to Tinwood who first suggested I had a macro on my camera to do closeups.

All in all, I'm a happy guy. It's good to concentrate on one kind of carving until you've mastered it. And getting a li'l help from your friends is the 'icing on the cake'.

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[Claude]

Nice work! The shirt/collar/sweater interfaces are especially good.

Claude

[Steve Reed]

Nice job Rodster! I agree with Claude's comments, the only thing I wood add is to make your arm crease on the front of the arm instead of the side. Excellent flat plane guy!
Steve

[Soggy]

Even though you are taking advice from others, I can see your distinct style developing with each carving. Maybe add a few small wrinkles to the pant cuffs, to give the impression that they are gathered up over his shoes...
Wayne

[Bob K.]

Great improvements, Rodster! Your practice is paying off!

[tbox61]

Rod,
I am flattered! I just love your style! You are a carving and painting machine!!!

[Rodster]

Nice job Rodster! I agree with Claude's comments, the only thing I wood add is to make your arm crease on the front of the arm instead of the side. Excellent flat plane guy! Steve

That's a good point, Steve. I think you're right and I'll do that next time.

[Rodster]

Even though you are taking advice from others, I can see your distinct style developing with each carving. Maybe add a few small wrinkles to the pant cuffs, to give the impression that they are gathered up over his shoes . . . Wayne

I think I can do that, Soggy. Harley Refsal takes that approach and it is effective. I don't have a lot of leg room, but wrinkles would work. I'll give it a try next time. Thanks for the nice comment!

[Rodster]

Hi Claude, BobK and Tbox61! Thanks for 'chipping in' with some useful comments, here and in prior postings.

[Tinwood]

What, no buttons??? Only thing I'll add here is why not take your v-tool, or even your knife if you don't have one, to make that suggestion of a sole around the bottom of your boots. Would just add a little extra pizzaz to an otherwise fine little carving.

Tinwood

[Eddy-Smiles]

Rodster... I tried to come up with a cute ditty about your little man but I "thunk" so hard that my brain overheated. I guess I'll leave the poetry to you. Nice work!

[Rodster]

Rodster . . . I tried to come up with a cute ditty about your little man but I "thunk" so hard that my brain overheated. I guess I'll leave the poetry to you. Nice work!

Thanks for the comments. Much appreciated. You're a wise man to avoid the rhymes. They're very addictive. I started sending a ditty (or two) to my daughter and grandson on special occasions. They reciprocated and now they say, "Help, we can't stop!"

[Rodster]

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Here is an updated picture of my li'l guy, after being dipped in danish oil. I have given him a nice round base, attached (as always) to the carving with two 1/8" dowels.

[joepaulbutler]

I would say that you're getting the flat plan carving down to an art, yip

[Rodster]

Tinwood - "Use a V-tool to make an impression of a sole around the bottom of your boots."

Tinwood - I'll try and remember this. It's a good idea.