Mark Gargac Elf WIP From WCI Holiday Gifts

[CarverFromNoWhere]

While I was in town to vote today, I stopped by the drug store and picked up a copy of the Hand Carved Holiday Gifts. I found Mark Gargac's Elf ornaments inside, I did the old world Santa project of his, I think it was last years holiday issue. Here he is so far just going along still very rough, I know the pictures suck I will try for some better ones tomorrow. This is the softest piece of basswood I have ever encountered, it has tight growth rings and is straight grained but even with my tools extra sharp I am getting tear out. He has his eyes closed kinda squinty cannot tell from the pictures. Still need to refine his face, do all the beard and sideburn hair detail, work his hat and carve in the folds, clean up his ears, then hollow the back, and finish.

Let me know what ya think of him so far, he seems to be turning out quite well and didn't take very long maybe an hour into him so far. I plan to do one from butternut once he is finished, this was my first try at the elves so I used the basswood, talk about a mistake.

Carl

[DManning]

Re: Mark Gargac Elf WIP From WCI Holiday Gifts

He's coming along good, Carl. How big is he? You've got quite a lot of detail already.
I'd like to see how your butternut one(s) turn out. I've always had problems getting detail in that wood.
Good carving.
Dan

[CarverFromNoWhere]

Re: Mark Gargac Elf WIP From WCI Holiday Gifts

Thanks Dan, I was about ready to throw him into the fire this wood is really starting to P**S me off. I cannot believe how soft this is, it is stuff I milled from a tree in our woods and normally everyone who buys wood from me comes back for more and say the stuff is hard and they love it. Alot tighter growth rings on our trees. This piece is awful, it is like a sponge almost, I thought maybe my tools where not sharp enough but I did some more sharpening and still same. Thinking maybe this peice was on the verge of spalting/rotting but didn't discolor.

I think I will clean that black or brown crud off of him the stuff oils and dirt whatever, seems to come off my hands. Then finish the details and paint him without sanding, use him as a reference or hang him in the house some where.
I took some more PICS I did more work on his face and ears, he is about 6" tall. A match and a quarter for a scale in one of the PICS.
Carl

[DManning]

Re: Mark Gargac Elf WIP From WCI Holiday Gifts

Amen to the frustration of working with "punky" wood. A while back I got hold of some Paulownia that crumbled like cottage cheese when I tried to cut it. No advice from the board helped and the only thing I made from it was ashes. The next chunk looked the same, felt the same, and cut like a dream. Maybe we just aren't sacrificing enough to the wood-elves (lol).
Thanks for sharing. He will work out, even if it's just a major test of your patience.
Dan

[fpace]

Re: Mark Gargac Elf WIP From WCI Holiday Gifts

Hey Carl.. I think he looks great... can't tell it's a bad piece of wood from here. Since it's a WIP the only thing I see at the moment that sticks out a bit is one ear looks larger the other. Keep us updated!

[JJireh]

Re: Mark Gargac Elf WIP From WCI Holiday Gifts

I think he looks good Carl. Finish him out see what happens. It's not for $$ so just have fun.

I guess one thing about gloves is hand oils and grime don't get on the carving, i always get that too.

[CarverFromNoWhere]

Re: Mark Gargac Elf WIP From WCI Holiday Gifts

JJ it was about 10 times worse when I used to wear a glove, all I have to do is wash my hands with some fast orange before I carve.
Fred I was wondering when someone would notice that, the one ear is actually turned back and looks smaller because he is lopsided, did that on purpose as a test see what it looks like kinda thing.
Thanks for the comments, I sacrifice plenty to the wood else and spirits taking the old or dead trees or the ones who are crowded. I just didn't get this part of the log sawed fast enough before it started to rot, that or ti is just really soft.
Carl

[Irishman]

Re: Mark Gargac Elf WIP From WCI Holiday Gifts

Ah, another elf to add to the mix. Careful there Carl...carving elves can be addictive so be ready to do some more. Great job on this fellow.
Patrick

[CarverFromNoWhere]

Re: Mark Gargac Elf WIP From WCI Holiday Gifts

Patrick all of carving is addictive,Talking thanks for the post.

Here are some more PICS I think he is done I will do some sanding then paint and seal him.

This piece of basswood was a real challenge to carve I did get frustrated for about 3 seconds then I just set it down and took a break before I got cut or I wrecked the whole project. Over all it was enjoyable I would like to see Mark write a book on these fellows along with the old world santa. It seemed like he didn't have enough room in the hand carved holiday gifts special to explain every step. I do understand it is a magazine and there is only so much room. I will go sand him shortly so far it has been about an hour and a half of work might make 2 hours including the finishing process. Was slow going with this wood tonight we meet to carve I will do maybe two more out of butternut this time and also I have to remember to get a PIC of the bloody thumb for my avatar PIC.

If anyone else is making these, go ahead and post them here if ya want.
Carl

[CarverFromNoWhere]

Re: Mark Gargac Elf WIP From WCI Holiday Gifts

Finished better pics will be posted in my gallery, I left him fairly rough. I still need to either dip him in BLO or spray on some deft then a buff of wax.

Tell me what ya think, not to bad for my first try carving one of these elves.

Thanks go to Mark Gragac and WCI&staff both for the great article and instructions, also this forum.
Carl

[toycarver]

Re: Mark Gargac Elf WIP From WCI Holiday Gifts

Carl, I would never have guessed this elf's wood had some devil in it. .. he came out great. I am impressed that it only took you a couple of hours to carve him. Thanks for the pics.

[Mark N. Akers]

Re: Mark Gargac Elf WIP From WCI Holiday Gifts

Hey Carl:
great job carving and painting.

[CarverFromNoWhere]

Re: Mark Gargac Elf WIP From WCI Holiday Gifts

Thanks for the comments Mark and Toycarver, it would have been faster if I had started with a better peice of wood.
Carl

[wood2carve]

Re: Mark Gargac Elf WIP From WCI Holiday Gifts

Carl, very nice carving.

[Mottles]

Re: Mark Gargac Elf WIP From WCI Holiday Gifts

Looks like you are going a good job, and will have a terrific little carving when you are finished.
Kathy