HorsehairBraider Posted January 30, 2008 Report Posted January 30, 2008 Clay - here's a pic of my tools. I should have added that giant penny... but I hope this gives you an idea of scale: most people have seen a scalpel blade. From left to right: First is my scalpel. Second, a sculpting tool made of polished agate that I use for a "pear shader", next is a dental tool, the next two are my plain "seeder" and my textured "seeder". Then my "mule foot", my "camoflauge tool", my "veiner". And then are two pieces of 10 gauge brass wire that I fabricated into "bevellers", one sharply triangular and the other a little wider. Next are my only two real tools - a beveler and a pear shader by Craftool, nos. B935 and P233. Then my solder pick (I really use it to pick up pieces of solder when I am soldering), and another one of those tools made from polished agate. In the center is the cantle back of a teeny saddle I am making. This was my first carving in donkey's years, a floral, and it's kind of bad but I am hoping I'll improve and that no one will notice on the cantle back of a teeny saddle! As far as it being a challenge to use such tools: ignorance is bliss. I can not remember using "real" tools, or doing full-size carvings, at all well. So I suppose I will have the exact same learning curve as someone new to carving, which I basically am. Scalpel blades aren't too hard to use if you hold them really close to the tip of the blade, and be really careful not to cut off any fingers. Thanks for what you said about my painting. You are obviously really kind! Hopefully people who join in will be able to accept other's opinions in a generous way. As for me, I used to be a sculptor, so when you finish your embossing you can expect some comments from me in turn. They say princes learn no art truly, but the art of horsemanship. The reason is, the brave beast is no flatterer. He will throw a prince as soon as his groom. - Ben Jonson http://www.beautiful-horses.com
Roger Posted January 31, 2008 Report Posted January 31, 2008 well... ups didn't get here with my next seat project so i spent a couple hours and came up with this. donno if i'll add any color or not
SCOUTER Posted January 31, 2008 Report Posted January 31, 2008 Horsehair- I like the color you did! I knew you had to work with miniatures! (Jeweler) Your wiskers came out great but it's funny how alot of us are fearful of those "few simple cuts that can kill your carving." I notice that Beezachopper who has great texture on the whole nose, did not put wiskers on either! Also Horsehair- Your tongue color is perfect! Clay, one thing I noticed is that the eyes on the pattern is a little too timid, if I was doing this on my own I would have added some skin flap over the eyelid like Tina did.
Roger Posted January 31, 2008 Report Posted January 31, 2008 i wasn't afraid of anything. they are not on the pattern and didn't feel the wiskers were needed
Contributing Member ClayB Posted January 31, 2008 Author Contributing Member Report Posted January 31, 2008 Bezzachopper, Did you emboss yours slightly? It kind of looks like it, but I cant tell for sure. I also don't know if it needs whiskers. I think they look pretty good without them, and some of them look good with them. I think it's just a personal decision on them. What did you use for hairing, and is there a reason you didn't do it on the head? Not that there's anything wrong with it, just wondering. ClayB Badlands Leather Art blog Badlands Leather Art Website
Roger Posted January 31, 2008 Report Posted January 31, 2008 Bezzachopper,Did you emboss yours slightly? It kind of looks like it, but I cant tell for sure. I also don't know if it needs whiskers. I think they look pretty good without them, and some of them look good with them. I think it's just a personal decision on them. What did you use for hairing, and is there a reason you didn't do it on the head? Not that there's anything wrong with it, just wondering. yes, it's embossed a bit. hairing was done with a couple different Camouflage stamps i have. the head is also done but, with a finer tool for finer hair. i guess i need to take a couple more pics and see if i can get the embossing and hairing to show up
Roger Posted January 31, 2008 Report Posted January 31, 2008 (edited) some closer pics Edited January 31, 2008 by beezachoppa
Contributing Member ClayB Posted January 31, 2008 Author Contributing Member Report Posted January 31, 2008 Beezachopper, I thought it looked embossed from the original pictures, thanks for sending more. Using the cams for hairing is something I had forgotten about. Al used to do that on some of his animals. That's the kind of things I was hoping for with this challenge, lots of different ideas and techniques to get your results. ClayB Badlands Leather Art blog Badlands Leather Art Website
Roger Posted January 31, 2008 Report Posted January 31, 2008 Beezachopper,I thought it looked embossed from the original pictures, thanks for sending more. Using the cams for hairing is something I had forgotten about. Al used to do that on some of his animals. That's the kind of things I was hoping for with this challenge, lots of different ideas and techniques to get your results. this was my first attempt at this sort of figure carving including this amount of complex hairing and embossing. i pulled out my AS figure carving book for the cam idea. one of those flat sidded cams would have made it quite a bit easier
howardb Posted January 31, 2008 Report Posted January 31, 2008 I'm glad it won't be competitive, cuz I'd bow out RIGHT NOW! Good to know I have a month, cuz it will take that long... Yikes! Brent Brent Howard CALG, HLG
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