Practice piece

[awnova]

I took a 2 day carving class put on by Doug Krause in late October. I designed this 8.5x11 panel to challenge my designing, knifing and tooling skills. Finally found time to finish the tooling today (after my husband made two new tools for me). I'm thinking of trying resist for the first time.  Wish me luck!

[fredk]

Nice

You don't believe in simple designs for practice then?

[awnova]

2 minutes ago, fredk said:

Nice

You don't believe in simple designs for practice then?

Lol, no, I guess not. Always looking to stretch myself and still looking for a style that really suits/appeals to me. 

[YinTx]

That is awesome!  Look forward to seeing the finished item.

YinTx

[bdpeters]

very nice job. I like the design for sure.

[awnova]

12 hours ago, YinTx said:

That is awesome!  Look forward to seeing the finished item.

YinTx

Thanks YinTx, me too!

[kiwican]

That's great work!

[garypl]

Beautiful work!  You have some serious carving skills.

Gary

[Scoutmom103]

That's some practice piece.

[Rbarleatherworks]

Beautiful work, well done..... I must keep practicing

[awnova]

7 hours ago, garypl said:

Beautiful work!  You have some serious carving skills.

Gary

Thank you Gary, I can't even tell you how much difference having a new Barry King swivel knife makes in my work!

[ABHandmade]

Looks great!
Without being imposed with advice, I wanted to ask - you did not plan to “omit” the background of the inside of the ornament (between the frame and the central part)?

Something like matting or very soft (not deep) background texture.

Edited November 20, 2018 by ABHandmade

[immiketoo]

4 hours ago, awnova said:

Thank you Gary, I can't even tell you how much difference having a new Barry King swivel knife makes in my work!

That's how you practice!  I too like to challenge myself to do things beyond my reach.  Most times, I find I can do more than I thought I could.  As for the knife, you are sooooo right!  A good knife offers better control, less hand fatigue and the blade geometry is far superior to anything form a big box leather craft store.  I am always amazed at those that have the opportunity to try a new knife but refuse to.  They never know what they're missing!

[awnova]

7 hours ago, ABHandmade said:

Looks great!
Without being imposed with advice, I wanted to ask - you did not plan to “omit” the background of the inside of the ornament (between the frame and the central part)?

Something like matting or very soft (not deep) background texture.

I considered it, but once I got going decided not to. I might revise this pattern with what I learned and try it the way you suggest though. Just to see.  Thank you for your thoughts!

[Samalan]

Nice job!

[Bawarrior]

You're funny an you have major talent

[awnova]

I just realized I never posted a pic of the finished piece!  I turned it into a notebook cover for work (I get paid to attend meetings apparently) and have been using it since December. It is holding up well and it gives me something to focus my creative attention on when it diverges from the meeting at hand

[Grumpymann]

Your practice is better than what I sell. I'm just embarrassed. Great work.