Snowmen

These snowmen are carved in basswood 1 1\2 square by 4 inches tall. I carved 24 of these to give to family members so they are painted all different colors. Some of the eyes are a half round and others were an angled half square. The snow flakes and around the eyes were drawn with gel pens. I should have taken a picture of all of them, but to late now.

Bird Ornaments

I did more to these birds as ornaments then I could have. I like the idea of a bird I can hang a the tree and then hang it in my camper the rest of the year.I enjoy doing the detail on birds and I am still learning a lot on doing that.

Woodsman

This carving is from a Jim Feather's pattern. It is Basswood, 3 inches square and 10 inches tall. The hat was cut out on a band saw and the rest was drawn out on the wood, then carved.

 

Carving a Little Guy

These Little Guys are carved from one inch square by three inches tall basswood. My inspiration for carving these small guys came from Jack Price and Don Mertz and some of the information comes from these men. For the head I go 1 inch from the top in front and 3/4 inch in the back. The rest of the space is divided in three. The middle line is the waist and the bottom line is the knees. The bottom lines are 1/16 inch at the back to the front corner. The front of the foot is 1/4 inch from the bottom. Carve or saw out knee area.

Carve from front center line to the middle of the side middle line. If carving a fist or cane leave materiel in that area. Remark lines for reference.

Carve around head, 3/16 inch at the front and 1/8 inch on the sides and back. I also carve 1/16 inch off the back of the head to move head forward and 1/16 inch off the sides to narrow the head. Also scoop carve from the knees to the bottom angle that was drawn.

 
The arm is 1/4 inch wide. 
Next I carve the back of the arms and buttocks. Carve the front of the arms and pocket. I like to have a thumb sticking out. It add a little without carving the hole hand. 


 I mark the head in three parts, the top line the eye brows and the bottom line the bottom of the nose. The front of the ear is at the center of the head. The back is 3/16 from the front. The top is at the brow line and bottom is at the bottom nose line. You can carve ether the head or the legs next. I will explain the legs first although pictures also show the head.

The front and back start the same.Cut straight in down the leg line. Then cut in at an angle to the bottom of the first cut on both sides. The buttock side forms a T and the front forms a Y. Carve in shoes. You are ready to carve in clothes. 




   For the head carve simple ears and carve in hair line. Thanks to Jack Price for a study guide for the face. 1. v cut for the brow, 2. eye cut, v cut on both sides, 3. cut bottom of nose, 4. cut off outside angle of nose, 5. chip cut at outside of angle cuts, 6. cut smile lines, 7. round out mouth mound, 8. cut straight in top of nose to smile line. Make a cut into this line. 9. from a little above the smile line make a scope cut to top of nose. I also take a chip cut off the outside bottom of nose. 10. re-cut eyes. Different angles will give different looks. I also cut small v cut on each side of nose and start eye brows. The eyes are painted in.  11. cut in mouth line. Lower bottom to bring bottom lip down. 12. lower lip cut in with knife or small gouge.Carving Small Characters by Jack Price give a better explanation. I hope this helps a little in carving little guys.

Four Triangles

Four Triangles was carved from a 2 inch square block of basswood. You begin carving off the corners to make a 14 sided shape. Then begin to carve out the square and triangle spaces. I used a knife the first time to release the triangles. It was to rough so the next one I carved I used a scroll saw blade to release the triangles. It was easier to clean up the cuts. I used the book Woodcarving Magic to help carving this. For me it was very challenging.

The Patriot

I cut out a pattern and started carving with no idea what it would be. As it evolved I could see that it was a person who worked hard and was willing to protect our way of life. The axe in his hand is a symbol of George Washington's comment "I cannot tell a lie, I chopped down the Cherry tree". This carving is 6 1/2 inches tall. 

  

Laurel and Hardy

Laurel and Hardy starred in the black and white film era. They started out on their own and starred in many films. When they joined they become a great dynamic duo. I enjoyed many of their movies. They are almost 4 inches tall and carved out if basswood. I need to do a base yet and will have them slightly facing each other.

 

Grumpy

This carving is a little over 4 inches tall. To me he looks a little disgruntled.