Little Buffalo

[hstrick46]

I've tried to carve a little buffalo using Deseree Hajney's Rolling Animal pattern. Please critique the carving (I know it isn't perfect). Do I need to burn the fur in before I paint it? What kind of paint do I use? I want it to be safe for my one-year-old granddaughter!

[Arthur C.]

Re: Little Buffalo

Cute carving, Hazel! I know your granddaughter will love it. Isn't it fun carving for grandkids?

If you intend to burn in the fur, do you intend to use a translucent wash for the paint job? Have you ever tried dragging a fine-tooth saw blade across a carving for fur? It will give you a finer texture, usually, and you can highlight certain areas by burning.

For paint, I recommend acrylics thinned way down with a matte medium, or water, followed when dry with a satin spray finish...check the cans for one that is child safe.

Hope this helps.

[dme253756]

Re: Little Buffalo

Oh, he's cute! Does he roll? The pattern has some shading and arrows on it. I wonder if you could burn those areas only and then just lightly paint or stain him. Please post your finished carving. I've thought about doing the pony, but.....It looks complicated.

[Claude]

Re: Little Buffalo

I agree with Arthur about the acrylic paint as a wash. Burnt Umber would be a good brown color to use. I don't spray my carvings with finish - I use a 50-50 mix of water-based satin or gloss varnish and water. The thinning does a good job of sealing the paint in and doesn't make it look real glossy. I did the bear for my grandson several years ago. I carved it out of a block of walnut, so I didn't need to stain or paint it.

Claude

[Rodster]

Little Buffalo

I like your little Buffalo very much. Nicely done.

[hstrick46]

Re: Little Buffalo

It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, Debbie. Once I quit trying to carve two directions at once. Carving from a three D pattern is a learning curve! Arthur and Claude, I'vd done a wash on him in brown and black and have done his hooves and horns in a metallic black. He looks pretty good, but I do think I should have burnt the long shoulder hair. I think I will seal it with food grade Watco oil and finish. Thank you all for your comments and input!

[hstrick46]

Re: Little Buffalo

Oh, BTW, Deb, he doesn't roll.

[dme253756]

Re: Little Buffalo

Thank you, Hazel. That is very good to know. I am still hoping you will post a completed picture.

[Nomad]

Re: Little Buffalo

Cute lil' bison! I think that same pattern could be used for a mountain goat as well.

I haven't carved very many animals so I can't offer much help.

[hstrick46]

Re: Little Buffalo

I just found an old post from kaofan of a bison he carved in Desiree Hajny's class. I should have burned the fur. I'm gonna try another one...practice may not make perfect, but it does make improvements!

Anyhow, here's my little guy finished.

[dme253756]

Re: Little Buffalo

Gosh he is cute! Next one put a pink collar and a bell on. Then you can have a boy and a girl.

[hstrick46]

Re: Little Buffalo

NO Debbie! That would just be wrong! Besides, my grandbabies have been watching "Spirit" and the two year old immediately identified it as a buf-lo. Pink woulda confused her!

[dme253756]

Re: Little Buffalo

I get your point, Hazel! That means you need to make the little pony next.

[Nomad]

Re: Little Buffalo

Looking good Hazel. Remember, buffaloes come in herds.

[hstrick46]

Re: Little Buffalo

Been working on the pony today, Deb! Got to leave it unsaddled though!