Rusty Report post Posted February 5, 2008 This picture is one I did some time back - I think it turned out pretty fair. Rusty Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rusty Report post Posted February 5, 2008 This was my first attempt at tooling a human face. Rusty Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomSwede Report post Posted February 5, 2008 That looks very nice and authentic, I mean you managed to capture that lively look of a person. That seem to be so hard to do on leather. I have not much experience in this but I did tool a vikingface some time ago and it looks quite dead or like I portrayed a dollface. Nice frame going there also. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yaklady Report post Posted February 5, 2008 I see you have Al Stohlman's Figure Carving Finesse book. There is no better way to learn how to carve figures. That's how I learned, and I still use the book every time I try something new. Al knew what he was doing. Keep up the good work, you're off to a wonderful start on faces! Kathy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rusty Report post Posted February 5, 2008 Tom - I know what you mean about it coming out looking dead. I've tried a couple since this one, and they didn't turn out worth doodly. Good practice for figure carving though. Rusty Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rusty Report post Posted February 5, 2008 I see you have Al Stohlman's Figure Carving Finesse book. There is no better way to learn how to carve figures. That's how I learned, and I still use the book every time I try something new. Al knew what he was doing. Keep up the good work, you're off to a wonderful start on faces!Kathy Yes ma'am - I think the book is essential if one ventures off into figure carving. And, of course, the pictorial carving finesse, in my opinion, is an essential tool as well. I don't consider myself in a league with the masters, but I keep trying. Rusty Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SCOUTER Report post Posted February 6, 2008 Welcome Rusty! Beautiful job! I like the way you "cut" the border! Very nice! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TracyMoss Report post Posted February 6, 2008 Wow, I never have been big on figure carving. I'm just not that good at it and I could never motivate myself to practice much. I just get by with it. The color is that dye or acrylic? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rusty Report post Posted February 6, 2008 Welcome Rusty!Beautiful job! I like the way you "cut" the border! Very nice! Thanks Scouter. It's made from one piece of leather, and, after I finish the picture, I carefully cut the outer border with an exacto knife - time consuming, but I think it enhances the picture. Rusty Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rusty Report post Posted February 6, 2008 Wow, I never have been big on figure carving. I'm just not that good at it and I could never motivate myself to practice much. I just get by with it. The color is that dye or acrylic? I have to confess, there was a time when I was intimidated by the thought of figure carving and pictorial carving until I figured - what the hey - and decided to give it a try. I think I'm getting a little better with each piece I do. As for the dye - the gold is cova dye, and the sky is a mixture of light blue and white cova dye. The rest of it is dyed with Fiebing's spirit dyes. I have an air brush and compressor, but I started out in this hobby using bristle brushes, and tend to stick with them whenever possible - old dog, new tricks..... Rusty Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TracyMoss Report post Posted February 6, 2008 Just seems like you need to be a painter to get the color and shading right. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rusty Report post Posted February 6, 2008 Just seems like you need to be a painter to get the color and shading right. Yeah Tracy, I've always had a degree of difficulty with my dying - just when I think it's right, I stand back and look at it, and, sure enough, I'll have to do something else to it. This hobby seems to be a never-ending education. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
