help me for the base

[copeau]

I ran out of idea to make a proper pedestal to this little weasel who stole an egg.
Would you have any suggestions to help me ?
note that the tail is lower than the feet. It's made from basswood, bit too spalted in some places. I used gesso again on the egg, had some glue left.

[rickm]

Re: help me for the base

why not carve the base like a rock or branch and that way the tail can hand down, like its lying on the rock if you get my meaning might be smewhat top heavy

[SlowMover]

Re: help me for the base

I looks like the weasel is part of the remaining wood underneath him...i.e. all one black we see. I would make a piece of the same or complementary wood just a bit larger than the bottom of the piece we see and put a routed decorative edge on it. I would then attach the new base segment and finish. If the spalted part of the piece you currently have bothers you, I would just cut it off and proceed as I suggested above. Nice smooth carving, you really worked on this one I can tell.

[dmatias]

Re: help me for the base

I think a river rock with a bit of water coming up on the rock.

[copeau]

Re: help me for the base

I think a river rock with a bit of water coming up on the rock.

I won't make too much details end grain, and spalted wood is round the heart of the piece. Have to say i won't paint it. I ain't got your talent for that and I like to see the grain show too.
the thing is I only have about one cm between feet and edge of the base.
here you can see better.

[Joggernot]

Re: help me for the base

Here's a thought...cut the base wood to about 3/16" thick. Carve it as suggested above or trim it a little smaller. Then cut a decorative base for display.

Joggernot

[dmatias]

Re: help me for the base

From the looks of this carving you are very talented and definitely have enough to carve a rock under this guy. The grain of that wood is beautiful and no way you would want to paint it for sure.

[valk.nl]

Re: help me for the base

carve it like a treestump and your dun
I'm also not a fan of painting, the natural wood looks beautiful

[Wvforester]

Re: help me for the base

Given the stolen egg, it would be neat to incorporate another medium here. I'm thinking of a bent piece I'd chicken wire. Enough to give the impression of a clean get away. Just food for thought. Awesome carving by the way. I really like him

[copeau]

Re: help me for the base

Thanks a lot for your suggestions.
I'm going to take a week or two to think about it and make a choice.
I'll probaly go back to the drawings to give me an idea of how I will sort this out.