Erin and Shannon O'Reilly

[Rodster]

Here are my two latest carvings: Erin and Shannon O'reilly, just over visiting Canada from the Emerald Isle. I tried a couple of new things with these carvings: I painted the eyes white and then left the brown coloring of the eyes for the next day. It seemed to work.

The carvings are 4" high. I carved them out of a 1" x 1.5" block. This is a good size for lil' guys (and girls). The reddish paint for the hair and beard adds to the interest of the lil' man. The buttons are little dowels that I drilled and inserted.

The last picture is a little sharp ended tool that I used for eyebrows. It makes them just the right size. I can't remember where I got this tool, probably a gift from my pal, Ray.

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[woodburner807]

Nice work and the "button" idea I might use. I was thinking of maybe using the caps you put over sunken screws...a plug.

[sappy]

Looks like Erin and Shannon like to dress up to visit, nice little couple.

[Eddy-Smiles]

Nice job! In 1879 my Great Grandfather and Great Grandmother immigrated to New England from County Monaghan, Northern Ireland. During his lifetime my Dad managed to make a pilgramage there but it doesn't look like I'll make it. I did have close association with a martial arts organization and school in Athlone.

Just my input on the eyes. I always make it a three/four step process in painting the eyes. 1. the white 2. a brown, blue , or green eyeball 3. the black iris. 4. a white glint . 5 (not often) cover the eye sock with a clear gloss acrylic, or Triple Thick. Steps 1 and 5 get overnight to cure.

[Rodster]

Just my input on the eyes. I always make it a three/four step process in painting the eyes. 1. the white 2. a brown, blue , or green eyeball 3. the black iris. 4. a white glint . 5 (not often) cover the eye sock with a clear gloss acrylic, or Triple Thick. Steps 1 and 5 get overnight to cure.

Thanks, Eddy. How do you get so many different paints on a small eyeball? I think you've mentioned your approach before, but I could never work out the details of how it worked in smaller carvings. If you have the time, I'd be interested in more info.

On my Mother's side of the family, and my paternal grandmother's, as well: our family also comes from Northern Ireland (County Down) ... way back when. Both families arrived in Upper Canada (now Ontario) circa 1875.

[Claude]

They look great, Rod!

Claude

[T J]

They look great Rod! Thanks for the tip on the buttons.

[uvawyo]

They are ready to celebrate St Patrick's day. Eddy's triple thick does do wonders for eyes, Phyllis uses it

[JBright11]

As always, well done!

[yolli]

Great couple (I 'do' the eyes like Eddy, use a pin/pinhead), perhaps Eddy hast an other idea.

[Eddy-Smiles]

Thanks, Eddy. How do you get so many different paints on a small eyeball? I think you've mentioned your approach before, but I could never work out the details of how it worked in smaller carvings. If you have the time, I'd be interested in more info.

On my Mother's side of the family, and my paternal grandmother's, as well: our family also comes from Northern Ireland (County Down) ... way back when. Both families arrived in Upper Canada (now Ontario) circa 1875.

Rod.... First off I use a 3/0 brush or smaller when painting the eyes. Secondly, I only dip the very tip into the paint. For larger eyes I sometimes use a toothpick to apply the iris (I have a small container of Cracker Barrel round toothpicks that I use for this purpose). For smaller eyes I use just the tip of the brush. For the glint I use a sewing basting pin tip. and again just insert the very tip into the paint. It's better to have to come back and touch it up than to make the glint too large on the first try.


Finally, believe it or not the Triple Thick hides most of the irregularities in the eye and makes them pop right out.

Sergio ~ Harrington a-c 6-26-13 (1) - Copy.jpg 56395107_10217538116472234_7821176308334854144_n - Copy.jpg

[tbox61]

Bgosh and Bgorra! They look great!

[JoeVM]

They look great.