Little Gnomes

[PGrobauer]

Let me post some pictures of how I make them when I get back home. I'm currently out of town on a business trip. They are really easy to make.

No animals were harmed in the process of making them
Although, with the amount of fur my dog leaves everywhere I could probably use that...

[PGrobauer]

Not sure if this is still allowed in a wood carving forum, but I'm trying to add a touch of whittling to these little gnomes. The hats are either carved or turned on my lathe (depending on the type of wood). The bodies, noses and the little bells on their hats are all hand carved.

What...

[PGrobauer]

I wish there would be carving classes closer to where I live. Unfortunately I haven't found any yet....

[PGrobauer]

Not even close to enough, but I just started collecting books and magazines.
I love looking at books, so every now and then I go to Half Price Books here in the US to see what they have. Last time I went I found a gold mine, unfortunately I already spent my weekly hobby allowance so I had to...

[PGrobauer]

Interesting discussion. I'm glad I'm not the only one.
To take this even further, I sometimes completely forget about carvings I started, because I saw something online that I REALLY want to make.
Weeks or months later I find some other projects tucked away in a corner or shelf and I'm like...OH...

[PGrobauer]

Here are my most recent carvings from last night.
I'm pretty happy with Joseph, but I believe with my next try, I'll have to incorporate a beard. He looks a little too female.
Maria on the other hand.....a very chunky woman
Hopefully the next version of her turns out a little b...

[PGrobauer]

As always, amazing tips from all of you guys. Thanks so much!
I make sure to take notes and keep at it. My goal this year is to build my own traditional Austrian nativity scene and I would like to carve my own figurines too. So I'll just keep making them over and over again until I'm happy.

[PGrobauer]

Hey,

when carving people, is it easier/better to start with the head or to carve the body first?
I seem to really struggle with the head so I thought maybe I should start there?
Attached are two examples. My second one, to the right I had to throw out because the head was not...

[PGrobauer]

Really like the different shades of the leaves! Well done!

[PGrobauer]

That's kinda neat! I'll have to put that on my "nice to have" list in case I do end up needing it.
Appreciate it....

[PGrobauer]

Haha that's funny! I just randomly stumbled across your ghost carving from 10 months ago and now I'm seeing your newest carving on here. Full circle.

I like your carvings, great job!...

[PGrobauer]

That's really awesome.
Love to see the different steps

[PGrobauer]

And it's done! Hope you guys like it.

On to the next project. Not quite sure yet what it's gonna be.
I always have a million ideas in my head...

[PGrobauer]

Thanks! Appreciate it.
No not at all! Where I am in my carving journey I already see it as a win for people to recognize it's a shark ...

[PGrobauer]

Good guess! But no, it's supposed to be a bull shark. I cheated and left out the pelvic fin. ...

[PGrobauer]

Hey,

My most recent project. Most of it was done by hand (incl. the rough-out). The dorsal fin and the two pectoral fins broke off so I decided to carve them separately and I used my power tool for it.

I couldn't decide if I wanted to paint it, but I ended up liking the natural...

[PGrobauer]

For those who carve in the kitchen or living room, I've found these potting mats to be really handy. Catches most of the shavings and makes it really easy to clean up. And they are super cheap...

[PGrobauer]

I'm so sorry to hear that...but I'm sure you'll always have a very special connection to carving. Thanks for sharing!...

[PGrobauer]

You're probably right. I'm overthinking things. I tend to do that a lot.

I believe for now, with how stressful my job is, I'll stick to the solitude of whittling. No dust, no noise.
I caught myself sitting under the oak tree today in my backyard, whittling on a piece I started some...

[PGrobauer]

A lot of great input already and a lot of reasons why I'm so torn.

I love the peace and almost meditational aspect of knife carving and relief carving. No noise, no dust, just the knife. I also like that you don't need much to take it outside.
But at the same time, I don't know if...