Guardian Angel

[squbrigg]

I don't know how I ended up making this, but as I carved the figure, the idea just kind of , developed. One thing led to another and there it was! The figure is Basswood, the wings also Basswood, and the Shield is Yellowheart and the sword is Redheart (?). (Not sure about the Redheart, it was a small piece in a box of exoctic wood scraps someone gave me, and had a piece of tape on the back with Redheart on it). It stands about 6" high. Wish I was better at carving faces, but practice , practice, practice , makes perfect.

The biggest challenge were the wings. I found some great drawings in Susan Irish's book of Fairies, and went from there. Took a lot of carving to get them thin enough, but they seem to work okay. I'm not sure how to mount this one, am thinking of a cloud perhaps, but we'll see.

Bob

[Irishman]

Re: Guardian Angel

Now that's a unique piece of carving Bob. You always seem to come up with something new. Love the angle. The face is fine, however, I learned from another carver that told me that when you go small with a carving, make the facial features very sultle. In otherwords provide a hint of the features and the brain will fill in the rest.
Patrick

[GeorgiaCarver]

Re: Guardian Angel

I think you did a great job on this carving! Practice does help but honestly, at 6" you did an amazing job. The larger the carving the easier the face and the opposite is true as well!

Thank you for sharing and I would love to see the finished pc once you decide how to mount it.

Greg

[GaryMc]

Re: Guardian Angel

Very nice job Bob, also very creative!
GaryMc

[gene-messer]

Re: Guardian Angel

Bob .. I think you did a great job .. I love the symbolism of the figure and what it stands for ..

It is a uniquely different type of carving and that's what's so great about it ..

It's carved very well and the finish with the woodburning is a great touch ..

Wonderful job Bob ..



Gene

[Joy]

Re: Guardian Angel

Very nice! I like it.

[Banjo]

Re: Guardian Angel

Wonderful job, Bob. It's a very delicate looking piece.

[susieq]

Re: Guardian Angel

Bob,
Lovely job on the the angel..... just lovely. Great job.

[chpster90bu]

Re: Guardian Angel

Very unique piece, Bob....I think it's a terrific job, and I love the way you carved the wings. Bonnie

[squbrigg]

Re: Guardian Angel

I approached the wings like birds wings, the general shape, like an eagle landing. I took some liberties on the length of the primaries, but the look seems to work. The big challenge was getting the right thickness, and in two areas I almost went too far, you could see daylight through them, but that was easily repaired and the feather marks hides the patch well.

I'm tempted to paint them, but so far I've settled for a spray sealer. The base will tell me more, once I have settled on it.

Thanks for the encoragement folks. Something like this is a stretch into the unknown for me, but I will never improve unless I try new things!

Bob

[tnartist05]

Re: Guardian Angel

I enjoy seeing your carvings and this one is JUST right! Good job Bob!

[squbrigg]

Re: Guardian Angel

Well I finally came up with a base for the angel. I had a piece of old Red Cedar left over from that sign project and shaped it out with gouges and did a final smoothing by power carving with finer and finer Typhoon and Kutzall burrs. A covering of white acrylic or three and you have clouds.

Comments?

Bob