To paint or not to paint when complete.

Annie is carving her grass hopper in mahogany which she says carves like butter. Having had a break from carving she tells me she has been enthused by this project.

Liz has been working on this magnificent relief carving for a number of months.

Inspired by Stewart’s Lily carving in Australian Brown Mallee I thought I might try something similar in English Oak.
As you might imagine this has been a mammoth task and has generated a significant amount of chippings.
I have kept these and when this pandemic is over plan to deliver these to Meriel in a small tipper truck; I know how pleased she will be now she has serviced her wood burning stove.
I am a little concerned that I may have removed slightly too much wood and would be grateful for

Current piece in Maranta (horrible wood - never again)

Carved in lime, I have done this one at speed for me and should be complete in a few days at an hour or so a day.

Carved in lime despite the oak leaves and acorns. This carving in final stages having applied the first coat of Danish oil/white spirit mix 50/50.

Will I ever finish or leave it as it is as a demonstration of progress.

To paint or not to paint when complete.

Annie is carving her grass hopper in mahogany which she says carves like butter. Having had a break from carving she tells me she has been enthused by this project.

Liz has been working on this magnificent relief carving for a number of months.

Inspired by Stewart’s Lily carving in Australian Brown Mallee I thought I might try something similar in English Oak.
As you might imagine this has been a mammoth task and has generated a significant amount of chippings.
I have kept these and when this pandemic is over plan to deliver these to Meriel in a small tipper truck; I know how pleased she will be now she has serviced her wood burning stove.
I am a little concerned that I may have removed slightly too much wood and would be grateful for

Current piece in Maranta (horrible wood - never again)

Carved in lime, I have done this one at speed for me and should be complete in a few days at an hour or so a day.

Carved in lime despite the oak leaves and acorns. This carving in final stages having applied the first coat of Danish oil/white spirit mix 50/50.

Will I ever finish or leave it as it is as a demonstration of progress.

Question - how best to show the texture of the woolly hat - any suggestions?

The grain works well here to give the hat 'texture'

Which finish would you select?

Just finished the 'head'. Done as a change and a challenge. Now got to decide on the next project. one when oiled (the head, not me,) and the other after applying a coat of (dark) wax.

The a half completed necklace pendant which Annie prompted me to do. It is a real challenge and takes an hour to create a few specks of ebony dust. Having tools small enough is leading to a bit of creativity but I will get there in the end; which I hope is nigh. The pattern is from a cameo of Rosalyn’s. I have to use magnifying glasses to see what I am doing and you will see that I have modified an old nail file and a bradawl. I will just have to wait to see how it works out.

A swivel table that I copied from Murray Taylor during a visit to his workshop a while ago. It is a great idea because you don’t have to be moving yourself about, you can just turn the table. It is especially useful when using a knife because you are always cutting in the right direction. My table is a bit more sophisticated than his but the carvings are way, way behind his standards. The actual piece is PVA’d to a piece of MDF via a layer of Special K packet which I should be able to peel

I have modified an old nail file and a bradawl.

While I was doing it I used a lot of chisels but I noticed I was using one a lot, in particular after the initial blocking in. It was a number 2, 8mm. Why?
Because it was new and so sharp? Was it because it was a number 2 sweep which is always useful? However I think part of the reason was because it was comfortable to use because it was slightly shorter than most full size chisels and had a narrower handle. It was bought 'by acccident' as a present from the Pfeil Medium size gouge range (All

You can see where I have painted a 50/50 mix of Danish oil and white spirit. It will make the dry lime less splintery when carving - i can see I now need to add another coat.

No comments on my curvaceous mermaid please!

Question - how best to show the texture of the woolly hat - any suggestions?

The grain works well here to give the hat 'texture'

Which finish would you select?

Just finished the 'head'. Done as a change and a challenge. Now got to decide on the next project. one when oiled (the head, not me,) and the other after applying a coat of (dark) wax.

The a half completed necklace pendant which Annie prompted me to do. It is a real challenge and takes an hour to create a few specks of ebony dust. Having tools small enough is leading to a bit of creativity but I will get there in the end; which I hope is nigh. The pattern is from a cameo of Rosalyn’s. I have to use magnifying glasses to see what I am doing and you will see that I have modified an old nail file and a bradawl. I will just have to wait to see how it works out.

A swivel table that I copied from Murray Taylor during a visit to his workshop a while ago. It is a great idea because you don’t have to be moving yourself about, you can just turn the table. It is especially useful when using a knife because you are always cutting in the right direction. My table is a bit more sophisticated than his but the carvings are way, way behind his standards. The actual piece is PVA’d to a piece of MDF via a layer of Special K packet which I should be able to peel

I have modified an old nail file and a bradawl.

While I was doing it I used a lot of chisels but I noticed I was using one a lot, in particular after the initial blocking in. It was a number 2, 8mm. Why?
Because it was new and so sharp? Was it because it was a number 2 sweep which is always useful? However I think part of the reason was because it was comfortable to use because it was slightly shorter than most full size chisels and had a narrower handle. It was bought 'by acccident' as a present from the Pfeil Medium size gouge range (All

You can see where I have painted a 50/50 mix of Danish oil and white spirit. It will make the dry lime less splintery when carving - i can see I now need to add another coat.

No comments on my curvaceous mermaid please!

So far she has refused to reveal internal photos.

The piece of lime clamped to the swivel holder on the main bench is the start of my Freedom effort so it needs to keep raining for a while!

Saved so much I have treated myself to a Screwfix pillar drill, photo attached
Works well after some minor adjustments to reduce vibration but £49.99 well spent
Currently making 50 tea light holders for my sister so it will come in handy

Please note the total lack of organisation cleanliness and workshop procedures. Cheers Dave T

Using glass dining table at end of kitchen as a work bench - so that I can pick up the tools in between the crossword, television, eating, doing nothing and dozing

So far she has refused to reveal internal photos.

The piece of lime clamped to the swivel holder on the main bench is the start of my Freedom effort so it needs to keep raining for a while!

Saved so much I have treated myself to a Screwfix pillar drill, photo attached
Works well after some minor adjustments to reduce vibration but £49.99 well spent
Currently making 50 tea light holders for my sister so it will come in handy

Please note the total lack of organisation cleanliness and workshop procedures. Cheers Dave T

Using glass dining table at end of kitchen as a work bench - so that I can pick up the tools in between the crossword, television, eating, doing nothing and dozing