Working on a staff.

[Ashbys]

A little over a year ago, some of you will remember I started a five top staff, out of butternut whihc Goody gave me. Well as with everything else in my life nothing ever seems to be what I think it is going to be. All of the Tops which I finished have been given away so all that was left was the last 4 ft section of the staff.

Well this morning , I started it. The top of the staff now holds a 13 inch in the round Winged dragon setting on a rock ledge. It is still a ways to go but thought you might like to see it.

Garry

[Skulli]

Re: Working on a staff.

I'm a big fan of this genre of artwork. Looks like the beginning of one sweet project and I hope you continue to show your progress through to completion! Thanks!

[Tom-H]

Re: Working on a staff.

Looking good! Keep on posting your progress on the Dragon. The way you are posting it's really a tutorial, and of great help to one who may want to ret his/her hand at a similar project. Hint hint. Tom H

[squbrigg]

Re: Working on a staff.

Great beginning Garry. I'll be watching to see how this one turns out!!!

Bob

[Kenny_S]

Re: Working on a staff.

Nice start Garry. Looking great. Deffinitely a dragon.

[Ashbys]

Re: Working on a staff.

Thanks guys , The wood really blended the photos out. But will see if I can get a few better shots today.

Tom,
I will try to post a bit more information, Outside of details I should finish this today .
Now the funny part,
I could give you a step by step , saying go get a 2*2 piece of wood , do a typical front and side pattern and locate it to the top marking centers ...ect .
But my problem is , I am doing this like a tree carving , so there was no pattern , no layout of lines and no marking on the staff.

I did the this is my center and this is what I want so cut out all that doesn't look like a dragon Wink and you have a dragon .

[Tom-H]

Re: Working on a staff.

Garry, Hey, your way works for me. I seldom do much layout on the piece to carve. Actually I seldom do any band saw work prior to taking knife in hand. So I can really follow your photos, and kind of determine what you are doing. I guess I get bored with too much planning and prep. Tom H

[Ashbys]

Re: Working on a staff.

Tom,

In that case , we'll have no issues.

The Idea I have is this so you get an Idea of where this is going.

The dragon has one wing unsupported to get the strength in the top of the staff , I brought his body down and under the right wing I brought up a stone wall . Then turned the tail about 2 inches down to the left and started the twist .

The tail will twist down the support center curling into a Wizard cap, which will start the center of the staff, the wizards beard will twist down the staff to a woodspirit at the lower part of the staff , whose beard will twist down to finish the staff .

I am planning on using cuts to give a scally bony body to the dragon.

Ok so that is the idea , no promise it will finish that way Jester

Lol

Garry

[whitecree]

Re: Working on a staff.

Dragons and more dragons. Everywhere I look lately, dragons!


Nice work (so far) and I'm impatiently waiting to see the finished project.

Working without patterns and sometimes not even bothering with a centreline is known as 'eyeballing'. This is the only true way to carve, IMO.

[Irishman]

Re: Working on a staff.

I'm curious to see it completed as the photo gives the impression that there's not a whole lot of wood available for the full dragon. Keep posting your pics.
Patrick

[Ashbys]

Re: Working on a staff.

Ok here is a few better pictures.

Patrick , I wanted stong wings so the wings wrap in around the body.

[Ashbys]

Re: Working on a staff.

Last one from the back . And yes I have been slacking today Mobster

Garry

[Colin-Partridge]

Re: Working on a staff.

Nice job Gary really like the way it is coming. Not for me but after last year I am a little leary of dragons.
Colin

[Ashbys]

Re: Working on a staff.

Colin , I want to know ,,,,,,


Where's SANTA ! , you can paint 40 mushroom in one afternoon and I am waiting for a simple santa ! !!!!!

Thanks mate , hope to take it to Goodys tomorrow . ...

I love abuse ! Hammer


lol

Ash

[Colin-Partridge]

Re: Working on a staff.

Gary read my thread on painting.
Colin