Robert E Lee Wip

[guybell]

Working on a camera case for my brother who's a Civil War buff. This is a scrap that I'm working out problems on. It's a little challenging working this small.

[Lowrider mike]

Looks great so far!

[plowboy73]

Very impressive! How long have you been tooling?

[guybell]

Very impressive! How long have you been tooling?

Thanks! I started 3 months ago but have invested a ton of time and money into learning the art. The hand control is very much like pinstriping and I did that years ago so it feels pretty intuitive. I plan on retiring in 10 years and wanted something that would bring in a little extra money and keep me busy. I am most comfortable with Western Floral but in doing some research on what people in my area (Virginia, outside of Washington D.C.) would most want, it seemed to be dogs and horses on bags and purses.

The dog is the first figure carving I did, mainly trying to get a grip on dyeing. It is straight out of a Stohlman book on figure carving. The briefcase I just finished for myself for work

Edited November 17, 2014 by guybell

[guybell]

Oops. Forgot to attach briefcase pic that I referred to.

[Pounder]

Nice, can't wait to see it completed.

[guybell]

Working out the initials for front of case. The portrait will be in a circle on the back.

[guybell]

Working out colors for portrait

[WyomingSlick]

His wife would have straightened up his tie given the chance

[guybell]

Figure practice on pinup

[OdinUK]

You're portraits are fantastic. Where did you get the original image from? Did you trace it yourself? I have the figure carving finesse book but not tried a portrait yet.

[guybell]

You're portraits are fantastic. Where did you get the original image from? Did you trace it yourself? I have the figure carving finesse book but not tried a portrait yet.

Thank you. I looked at a bunch of pinups until I found a face I liked and then drew it from that. The face is from an old painting from Baron von Lind who did incredible pinup girl art. I just started carving but but I color them the same way I paint, which is to use the leather as the mid- tone. Then all you need is a light brown and a dark brown and finish with white acrylic for any highlights.

Edited November 23, 2014 by guybell

[OdinUK]

Thanks for sharing that. I look forward to trying more figure carving in the new year after I finish my current project.

[guybell]

Carved The Duke. Will start coloring tomorrow, hopefully.

[guybell]

Pic of roughing in the face

[guybell]

Doing some coloring

[guybell]

More pin up carving.

[guybell]

Working on more pin ups tonight. Face referenced from an old Gil Elvgren painting.

[josiahmd]

amazing work! i wish i had artistic ability like this... i struggle tooling even with craftaids as a guide!... keep up the good work and keep posting pictures

[guybell]

amazing work! i wish i had artistic ability like this... i struggle tooling even with craftaids as a guide!... keep up the good work and keep posting pictures

Thanks! I'm fairly near you down in VA so maybe we can do a project together sometime.

Finished up coloring on pin up project.

[josiahmd]

thanks man! appreciate the offer , that would an awesome experience!! pin up looks great!

[guybell]

Carved and dyed wolf I did last night.

[joet]

For someone who has been working leather for only a few months, you have been doing some really nice work. Far beyond what most of us are doing that have been at it for over 40 years. Keep up the good work and what ever you do ...... don't stop now!

[guybell]

Thanks, joet, that's really nice of you. There is some amazing talent on here that I hope to learn from.

Also, if anyone is interested, I used an old Craftool F119 for the hair. I don't reall care for the hairtool with blades that is often recommended.

[guybell]

Finally put other projects aside and finished case.