Butternut Bust

[JoeVM]

This bust was started in a Vic Hood class last month. I had quite a bit to finish up on it. It is about 8"x14"x17" and that's larger than anything I've done before. I learned a lot about working with a mallet and Vic was an excellent teacher. I finished it with BLO, polycrylic, and wax.

[Randy]

Well done! Very nice piece.

[woodburner807]

Wow, something to really be proud of, Joe. The butternut really accents the work in a very, very positive way. In addition, the proper use of a little color for the eyes is great.

[Merle Rice]

Hi Joe , Great Detailing on Facial Features , no surprise here . Very Nice Work . Merle

[Brian T]

Your head is ready for bigger carvings. That finished very well.

[Dashriprock]

Real nice butternut bust! Great work!

[drhandrich]

im so envious. i really mean to try one someday, and just the past couple weeks i got some green blocks of wood to let dry some . do you have any special type of vice for steadying that while working on it?

[JoeVM]

Thanks, Randy, Woodburner, Merle, Brian, &Dash, the butternut was nice to work with and finished up nice.
Thanks, drhandrich, I used a Panavice, it was a little small for this piece but held ok.

[squbrigg]

Nice work Joe, I love Butternut for busts, they have so much character. Well done.

Bob

[Tom Ellis]

Wow Joe, That came out fantastic. The butternut is the perfect wood for this piece. Nice job.

[Bob K.]

That's a spectacular carving, Joe! Amazing facial detail...very realistic! Excellent job!

[Arthur C.]

Well done, Joe! I'm struggling with realistic faces right now, so I really appreciate what you did there. And the butternut is beautiful, you did well with the finish.

[sappy]

Joe, I'd say you are an excellent student! This is beautiful. I was drawn to the lower lip, like the transition into the beard, and the eyes are so expressive.

[Tinwood]

Nice work Joe. Excellent all around.

Tinwood

[JoeVM]

Thanks Bob, Tom, Bob K, Arthur, sappy & Tinwood. I was pleased with how the butternut finished.
Sappy, the picture I was following didn't show a lower lip (it was covered by his mustache). But Vic suggested that I give him one and he was right, it does look better.