Santa, from Start to Finish

[Claude]

Finished this Santa recently and sent it off to a customer.

I started with a sketch on a block of wood, then cut it out on the bandsaw. This block is 3 x 6 x 12 inches.

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The biggest time consumer of the project is getting rid of the waste wood.

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I didn't take photos of the santa clamped to my workbench so I could use by gouges on it. Because of the relative smallness of the feet I didn't try to fasten it to my Eli vise; just clamped it down on the workbench with a couple of "F" clamps.

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As you can see, I already started adding some details. I left his right arm and hand to last, as it is mostly cross-grain and thus weaker. Still have to work on the boots and put some more clothing folds in.

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Carving is now complete.

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Time to start painting.

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Finished Santa.

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[Nebraska]

Nice WIP progress photos Claude. Good looking Santa too!

[Merle Rice]

Hi, Claude, you make it look so easy. Another Satisfied Customer I'm sure. Very Well Done. Merle

[uvawyo]

Great tutorial, Claude. As a Santa carver i am apt to follow it

[joepaulbutler]

No surprises here, just some more of your fine carving

[4ND3R5]

Nice job Claude. I'm sure whatever you charged wasn't enough.

[sappy]

Great looking Santa, and nice to see the progress.

[Eddy-Smiles]

Excellent work Claude! Very nice tutorial!

[yolli]

Claude, thanks you for sharing this WIP. The santa is great and very nice, like it.

[Soggy]

Great carving Claude!.... should be one very happy customer when they see that...

[Mark N. Akers]

Wow Claude, what a beautiful Santa, very well done.

[Kadiddle]

Great pose Claude. A classic. Nice carving.
Carve On,
Kadiddle

[Steve Reed]

Great looking Santa Claude! Looks like the classic Coca Cola Santa. Kudos my friend!
Steve

[PittsburghTim]

Very nice carving, Claude! The paint looks nice and crisp too, but please tell me the "Coca-Cola" on the bottle is a decal of sorts or I will forever be envious of your lettering ability.

[Claude]

Printed on regular paper, cut out, then decoupaged onto the carving. My hands shake too much to even think of lettering like that nowadays.

[Glenn Jennings]

Well done Claude an awesome Santa!!!!!