Grizzly Bear Wip

[ClayB]

I've been taking a one on one class with Jan Schoonover since the beginning of last week. Today we finished up the carving, embossing and hairing of the project. Tomorrow we start applying the stiffener to the hair and then coloring it. We are planning on finishing up this weekend. It's been a real eye opener for me. I've always admired Jan's big bear and hoped to get to try it sometime. Even though I've taken several classes with him in the past, I had no idea what all was involved in creating this one. Jan took things to a whole new level when he figured out how to do this. It took him three years of experimenting to get it how he wanted it and he developed several new techniques along the way that he doesn't share in his regular classes.

So anyway, here's what my bear looks like after 70 hours of work. The tip of the nose is a little over 4 1/2 inches from the background. The one Jan is working on ended up right at 5 inches.

[Denise]

Wow! Looks great Clay. Amazing what creativity can do with leather.

[dirtclod]

Your bear is looking great Clay. Can't wait till your done.

[TroyS]

DAYUM! That is unbelievable! Can't wait to see the finished project!

[techniques]

your bear looks fantastic.

I'm looking every day on your blog to see how you are doing with the Grizzly. Can't wait to see them finished.

Wish you an Jan much pleasure and success with this special kind of leather art.

[gtwister09]

Clay,

Been following your blog and your two week escapade away from the family. After you complete this one please share with us what bear #2 looks like also.

You are a lucky man and we all look forward to your future training sessions as well.

Regards,

Ben

Edited March 10, 2010 by gtwister09

[joet]

Great job Clay. Any idea of how far out from the background Robb Barr got with his figures? I have several of his tapes and he never really says.

Edited March 10, 2010 by joet

[ClayB]

Thanks everybody. I feel pretty lucky to be taking this class, and for a lot of the other classes I've had the opportunity to take. I think we're all pretty lucky in this craft where the true masters are willing to share what they've worked so hard to learn with the rest of us.

Joet, Robb's usually got his figures out about an inch and a half. This grizzly bear that Jan is teaching me came about when Robb challenged Jan to a friendly contest to see how far they could take a bear out. When Jan took his grizzly to an IFOLG show and Robb saw it, he conceded. I've had the chance to see both Robb's and Jan's bears in person and they are both real works of art.

[joet]

  On 3/10/2010 at 7:28 PM, ClayB said:

Thanks everybody. I feel pretty lucky to be taking this class, and for a lot of the other classes I've had the opportunity to take. I think we're all pretty lucky in this craft where the true masters are willing to share what they've worked so hard to learn with the rest of us.

Joet, Robb's usually got his figures out about an inch and a half. This grizzly bear that Jan is teaching me came about when Robb challenged Jan to a friendly contest to see how far they could take a bear out. When Jan took his grizzly to an IFOLG show and Robb saw it, he conceded. I've had the chance to see both Robb's and Jan's bears in person and they are both real works of art.

Thanks for that information Clay. I also have seen the various bears and other animals that Jan and Robb did and they are (or in Robb's case, were) both very talented. It's really nice to see what someone can do with leather and work it to the max.