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[Steve Reed]

A few days ago I posted what I call "old school" carvings. Today, I have a side-by-side comparison. Please share your thoughts.
Thanks, Steve

[Claude]

I like both, Steve! They're different styles, but I think both are well done.

Claude

[Spiritwolfe]

First off, darn it you're good. I personally like both styles equally. I really appreciably the patterns you create for texture. The fur( hair) texture is amazing , even the expressions are great. Great work Stephen.

[scotia carver]

Hi Steve
I am with Claude and Sw on this, I think they are both great, well done
Bruce

[Tom Ellis]

They both look good Steve, I think the hair is a little more refined on the right one.. Great looking beard...............Tom

[joepaulbutler]

I guess it would be up to the carver to make a choice. They are both fine carvings

[Donna_T]

Both are good carvings. I like the hat on the natural one, but I like the detail on the painted one. More varied texture on the beard on the painted one. Good examples of both styles of eyes but I'm partial to the painted ones.
Donna_T

[Soggy]

That's a tough decision to have to make Steve; I'm more inclined to lean towards the painted one but they are both great. I guess that's why there are so many different styles out there......everyone has a different way of looking at something
Wayne

[Kadiddle]

Both are great carvings. Painted one has the beard jagged on the edges, which to me looks more realistic. This one also shows more tool marks, giving me more of the old school feeling. The one with the natural finish is clean but lacks the rustic kind of look. Cuts are crisp and very clean. To each, both are 10s.
Carve On,
Kadiddle

[Paul_Guraedy]

Steve both are well carved pieces and I would not offer major changes in either of them. As to which might be preferred, it is my belief that this is absolutely individual taste and has little to do with painted vs natural or realistic beard vs. simple carved beard.

[Tinwood]

Rustic, thanks Kaddidle that's the word I was searching for. The two carvings are both so well done that, really, it's up to the individual's personal preferences in the end. If you are more into the rustic type of decorations for your home at Christmas then you'd want to, perhaps, go with the painted fellow but looking at the two from my perspective, I like the finely detailed features of the second fellow. In any regard, I'd take either in a heartbeat. Usually I tend to lean toward the old school style but you could warp my beliefs very quickly. Great work Steve.

Tinwood

[jderijcke]

I like them both. Like others said, personnal tast makes people chose painted or not. Very well carved!

Jos

[Tom-H]

Both are very well done. I prefer the painted one, but not because it's painted; but because some of its features are not as smoothed and refined. Both are really fine examples of a Santa ornament.

[Steve Reed]

Thanks folks. I've been doing painted carvings for a long time, and thought I'd change things up a bit. A few years ago I made several Santas that had painted eyes, but everything else was natural. Thanks for your input, it really is appreciated!

[Nomad]

Both are really super carvings and I like both finishes. I don't think you would have trouble selling either carving. I guess a good test is to offer a little pile of each style and see which ones disappear first.