I Promised I'd Start A Challenge For April

[Regalto]

Johnathan my submission has the E249 for the hammer. There it is with acrylic paint over it. Gives that nice rocky texture.

[Jazznow]

Thanks Regalto

I like your carving very much. You should definitely put it on your workshop wall. And i think you Did a good job on painting it.

I'm thinking on how to paint my stuff. Currently I think I will give the cloud and the hand itself a resist (will several layers of resolene resist oil dye?). Moon will be dyed with deluted yellow, earth with different shades of brown. Background black maybe with a coat of blue under it. Stone maybe black too but with a coat of white under it to make it gray.

Do you all have any suggestions or different ideas?

Greetings

[Harley Corns]

Your project worked out well Regalto.

Not sure what your mental image was for the coloring...but I think what you've done works fine.

The colors enhances your tooled design.

And since you're finished with 4 days to spare....there's still time for a second entry....

[aguilerag]

I know its the 26Th of April but I have this sketch of mine that I think would work for this breakthrough challenge.

The concept when I did it is of someone freeing there mind so that would be the breakthrough LOL!!! Does that count?

I have never done a womans face before so I think this will be interesting.

[Harley Corns]

Greetings aguilerag

Nice drawing .

It'll be cool to see in leather too.

I've never done a face before either....so I'm interested to see what I can learn from your experience with this project.

[aguilerag]

Thanks Harley.

I am going to start it when I get home from work. I am going to do it on a piece that I could use for something if it turns out ok (not much faith that it will)!!! I think the hardest part for me is keeping the lines of the face smooth and flowing. That is what makes the picture in my point.

If this turns out I may have to do some good Old Nagels on leather too. Here are a couple of my drawings of them for the heck of it.

[Harley Corns]

Have you looked through any of Al Stohlman's books of figure carving?

Edited April 26, 2013 by Harley Corns

[aguilerag]

I have not had a chance to pick any of them up or read through any of them. I was going to attend a figure carving class at the Tandys out here but couldnt make it on the day they had it.

I have heard that they are very good books to have though.

[Harley Corns]

I found his book "Figure Carving Finesse" to very informative and helpful,and IMO...while its rather pricey,its well worth the investment.(in fact I think Tandy has it on sale in May.($18)

After seeing your excellent drawings, I believe you'll be interested in what he shows and demonstrates on portrait carving ,beveling,etc.to help make the images appear lifelike.

[DoubleC]

Welcome, welcome aguilerag, we're excited to have you. I think your drawings are excellent and next month we're doing figure carving so I hope you join us then too. It's not too late, this is no stress, have fun and if you learn something that's just gravy.

Jonathan in answer to your questions I've never had any luck with resolene as a resist for anything but antique. but if you're painting you don't need to resist anything. If you're going to use dyes that will be another matter. But for the background and stone you can add the white and blues right in with the paint to get the shades you want. you don't have to paint twice. The acrylics mix very well with each other. Just be sure and add water to them so they don't look too thick on the leather and do light coats. I can't wait to see it finished. Cheryl