My story
My story
I have always had an affinity with wood, I loved the way it looked and felt in your hands. I did a few projects whilst still at school in the workshop. In my final year of high school I made a spinning wheel, which I still have today. Sadly, now, it only gathers dust, I am unsure if it even works, but it still looks impressive.
I only learnt to carve properly in 2011 during an online session. This carving tutorial was pivotal to my Wood carving progress.
I learnt so much, not only to carve but also to believe in myself that I could carve. As at the that particular time I was extremely unwell. It was literally in the midst of my lowest point of health and well being. So it was a vital step forward for me.
Being a Woodworker I am constantly learning and improving and with that, my work changes and evolves, hopefully for the better.
During COVID I was fortunate to be constantly busy working on some sort of project. The craft page that i was selling my work on was a godsend. People were constantly requesting carvings, particularly the wood sculpture of Bird carvings. I was learning new techniques with each new and different project, so my woodworking abilities improved dramatically over the 3 years. I am pretty confident now in my capability, but I am still learning new ways and techniques and probably always will. I think this is part of why I love what I do, and would be lost if I couldn't play and create with wood.
I can honestly say that I truly have a passion for woodworking and Carved Wood Art !
Carving a baby goat
Creating a clay version first
To make the clay sculpture was like carving at super fast speed. As you needed to apply the same outlook to sculpt the clay into the object that you requird. Obviously it was using a different imedium but using similar techniques to observe and transform the material.
Initial carving
Once I cut out the rear view of the goat in wood I then had to refer to the clay sculpture to see what needed to be removed in the front area. With his legs out front, they were much lower than his tummy area. But I had to leave enough wood for the neck and head. He was a bit of a block head at one stage and I thought I had misjudged there. But as it turned out it was just unnecessary worry.
Carving
I needed to leave the carving of his ears and head until last, as the ears were thin and one was unprotected & susceptible to breaking.
Carving head and ears
The final look before painting.
All the little details of his nose and eyes added. I ended up roughing his back legs a bit and other parts to make it look more like hair. Then sanded him down a little before painting
Painting the base coat
This is just the base colours painted.
I am not the best for mixing paint to achieve a particular colour. So finding the right mix was a little difficult, however I think I managed it with the end results.
Final sculpture finished
I was over the moon with how this baby goat carving finished up.
It was a first in a few things for me. For example, sculpting the clay first to have a three dimensional object right in front of me.
Another first was, carving an animal lying down. Also I've never carved any breed if goat before let alone a young goat.
So with all those firsts, I'm really happy with the end results. It just goes to show you that if you set your mind and learn from past mistakes you can achieve great things.
How I made it
1.As this pattern is complex I glued it on face down.
See video for instructions
2. A few internal holes were cut to start the carving process
3. Carving progress
4. The underside of the panel showing the holes.
6. Most of the lower areas carved
7. Fine details were added and carving is finished. A dark stain was used in the lower areas in various strengths.
8. 34 hours & fin
Sitting Koala
This is my first carving of a sitting koala. He was more difficult than I first thought, as I really didnt know the shape of his skull. But I think he worked out in the end and the customer is very pleased.
Video of finished Koala
Horse head
1. pattern traced onto timber
2. Design cut out where needed
3.Carving the lower areas first to ouline the horses head
4.The head somewhat carved & now working on the mane
5. Most of the larger areas have been carved
6. The finer details & the eyes, nostrils & tassel carved. Then entire carving was sanded where needed
7. The finished horse head & shoe was stained & painted on the bridle.
Little pink ribbon
Finished video
https://youtube.com/shorts/-1p3ZHfJSYY?feature=share
Tasmanian Tiger
Collection of photos show how I carved the Tasmanian tiger-Thylacine
Video of completed
https://youtube.com/shorts/lRBzHREKSAk?feature=share
Rooks
Progress photos how I carved the pair of Rooks
Completed rook carving display shown
Show More