First Carving - not sure what to do

[Bleu723]

Thank you so much yolli. Is there a sealer that would lend a bit of color to it do it doesn’t look so plain? I do have a nice wood burning set, but i’m afraid to ruin it…What do you think of my idea to paint it with epoxy? I found an awesome video on youtube where this guy does it and that gave me the idea.

https://youtu.be/JWS-bHWPHHs

[yolli]

Bleu, I donot know how to protect this carving. Please let some of the 'more expirienced' answer this question.

[joepaulbutler]

Blue, that is an interesting video. What I would try, using a Watco Danish oil, it comes in different shades. After it has dried you could use an oil-based polyurethane. Just my 2¢ worth

[Bleu723]

Don’t I need to seal it first? Or stain then seal?

[joepaulbutler]

I would oil stain, but that is my 2¢. Maybe some of the really good finishers will chime in

[Claude]

Send a private message to pallin and ask for detail for how he finished the Escher carving. I think he seals it first, so the gel stain won't sink into the end grain and make to very dark, but best to ask him.

Claude

[pallin]

Bleu - We now have a private conversation going, but I'll share this with the others. I have no experience with selectively staining end-grain carvings in basswood. The technique was taught to me by a woman in our local carving club. You definitely need to seal the wood. I use a water-based polyacrylic. Thin it down to increase the penetration of initial coats. If you can't sand some surfaces smooth enough to wipe the gel stain off, you'll have to apply the stain to just the undercuts, incised lines, etc. The gel stain should be water-based also. It is also feasible to scrape off some of the stain after it dries, as in this carving:

[woodburner807]

I cut the end grain with a knife, then a thin coat of a darker color, then dry brush to highlight the facets.

[Bleu723]

I’ll have to live on youtube next few weeks and see how all of this wonderful advise is actually done

[Bleu723]

Bleu - We now have a private conversation going, but I'll share this with the others. I have no experience with selectively staining end-grain carvings in basswood. The technique was taught to me by a woman in our local carving club. You definitely need to seal the wood. I use a water-based polyacrylic. Thin it down to increase the penetration of initial coats. If you can't sand some surfaces smooth enough to wipe the gel stain off, you'll have to apply the stain to just the undercuts, incised lines, etc. The gel stain should be water-based also. It is also feasible to scrape off some of the stain after it dries, as in this carving:

Beautiful carving!