2 honey bears

[tnartist05]

This is a big slab/chuck,mill cut off,its 20 X 26 inches and pine. Im carving two young bears in it looking for honey.

Im working in my art room but dont have a real strong work bench in here like I have out side at my shop. Using a PC chair & carving him with chisels & gouges,mallet.

I will try in show the different steps in this carving but sure this one will go slow,nothing like the smaller relief carvings Im use too. I wanted to carve the smooth side but with it sitting in my art room now a large crack has taken place,so Im carving the back side.

Your thoughts or comments as always are welcome. Thks Tn~

[Colin-Partridge]

Re: 2 honey bears

Tn,
Looks like that is going to be a really nice piece. Yes I know what you mean with a piece of pine that big they always check sometimes twice. Have you given any thought to doing the stop cuts with a small chainsaw? As for the checking you could cut a small wedge and insert it with gorilla glue then sand it again. Although I would wait until you have the carving finished as it may open up even more.
Colin

[tnartist05]

Re: 2 honey bears

My wife bought me a small electric 12" chain saw 2 years ago,Ive not taken it of the box yet,I would like to use it,Ive read alot and I have the cheap Remington,I want a dime bar and chain. I think I will just wait till I can buy a good chain saw with the bar I want. I packed the crack with tooth picks and used wood putty over it,to seal the crack. I dont know what all I will be carving in the background but so far this morning,Ive been really taken some wood out. This chunk of pine is bone dry,I dont think it will ck any more. It has soft spots and harder areas through out this stump.

I appreciate you Colin and your thoughts,to say nothing about how great of a chain sawer you are sir. Thks, I will post some picts later today,course Ive had to stop several times besides chasing this PC chair around as I carve! Hahaaa Heee Forrest

[tnartist05]

Re: 2 honey bears

I didnt get to work all day today on the bears like I had planned but did get some of the extra wood carved back. There was 2 knots on the back of this slab,I knew if I was going to carve it,it had to be something that would stand or walk on a log like a coon or bear.

Carving into the knot on the left was some what tough but alot of it has to come out. There will be plants growing beside the bears,should have alot of finer details later on. I might be carving alittle more tomorrow?? Will post and up date these bears often.

[santagibbs]

Re: 2 honey bears

You are off to a good start TnArtist. I am anxious to see the finished piece. Bears make and interresting carving.. Real cute. Charlotte

[tnartist05]

Re: 2 honey bears

You are off to a good start TnArtist. I am anxious to see the finished piece. Bears make and interresting carving.. Real cute. Charlotte

I agree and like bears myself. Thanks Charlotte.

[Jim OH]

Re: 2 honey bears

Forrest,
You have a great start! Looking forward to the progress pictures! Wish I could sketch that good but I don't think there is a left side to my brain.
Jim OH

[chpster90bu]

Re: 2 honey bears

Whew! I am glad to see that the whole thing isn't completed by tonite, Forrest. I was beginning to think you were super-human! It's going to be a wonderful piece. I am partial to bears and love to look at everyone's, no matter how they are carved. This is a big piece and I love the stump itself....can't wait to see what you do with it. Bonnie

[Eddy-Smiles]

Re: 2 honey bears

TN... That is going to be another work of art! Love the bears. Did you free hand them on or are you working from a pattern?

[tnartist05]

Re: 2 honey bears

Forrest,
You have a great start! Looking forward to the progress pictures! Wish I could sketch that good but I don't think there is a left side to my brain.
Jim OH

I dont know really at times if I have the left side of my brain or not either!! hahaeee Thks Jim!!

[tnartist05]

Re: 2 honey bears

Whew! I am glad to see that the whole thing isn't completed by tonite, Forrest. I was beginning to think you were super-human! It's going to be a wonderful piece. I am partial to bears and love to look at everyone's, no matter how they are carved. This is a big piece and I love the stump itself....can't wait to see what you do with it. Bonnie

Yes its a larger carving for me and nothing like the smaller carvings I can finish in a day. I have always loved bears myself and heckkkkkkkk now I live where there are some. I will keep up dating this carving here as I go.

Thks for your nice thoughts Bonnie~ Forrest

[tnartist05]

Re: 2 honey bears

TN... That is going to be another work of art! Love the bears. Did you free hand them on or are you working from a pattern?

Free hands?? I have been asked that at several times with my paintings,I would joke when I would tell people,well I use to tie my hands to paint but it kelp hurting my wrist also!! Haheeee No Ed,I dont use patterns,plus I dont own one book on carving, I do enjoy the WCI I get,enjoy reading and seeing all the different items in it.

I got through school,drawing things for my teachers. I enjoy trying things with different types of art work and carving is such a media that I really enjoy. I draw what I want to carve with a pen-i-cel At times on most of my little carvings or any of my mtn men or things like that,I dont draw anything,just start carving it,course it shows with tons of mistakes I make but I hope one day I will get better.

Thks Ed for your comments and thought.

[Joy]

Re: 2 honey bears

I think that is going to be a fantastic piece. I am enjoying watching the progress. Thanks for sharing all the steps.

[tnartist05]

Re: 2 honey bears

I think that is going to be a fantastic piece. I am enjoying watching the progress. Thanks for sharing all the steps.

I hope it comes out ok,Joy Alot of wood to remove,course I will paint it. I hope one day to carve a nice piece of wood with beautifull grains and not paint it. Its not really a step by step but trying to show some of how its carved. Will post a few new picts in the morning{Monday}

Thks for your encouragement Joy.

[tnartist05]

Re: 2 honey bears

This is alittle more on the carving on the bears over the wk end. I have still alot some carving & sanding course soon I will add alot some details.I had to really carve alot of the pine knot out in order to create a old log[hole] where the bear on the bottem is standing,Theres alot of work that still needs to go into this carving.

Wont get alot done today,another VA trip. Hope tommorrow to get back working on these bears. This will be my last carving for right now,have alot of other art projects {painting items} I have to get going on next,I might carve a few smaller hanging Christmas ornaments later also.Thks for viewing the bears and I will up date my progress as I go along. Tn~