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48K views 105 replies 13 participants last post by  sras 
#1 ·
Holly's Jasper #1

Drawings for my new commission, the bust of a Swiss mountain dog carved from walnut, life size. 14" nape to nose, and 10.5" from ear to ear, 12" tall. This will be my most voluminous carving to date, and my first time with walnut. Sunday I am planning the 3, 14"x 12"x4" blocks on a planner to start, then hand planning to a finish fit. As part of my new procedure to make the process of excess wood removal easier I will be band sawing on 4 sides to make the blank closer to the finish product, leaving me more time for the fun of the detail. Only took me 15 months to figure this out….........
Gesture Art Rectangle Drawing Creative arts


Human body Jaw Gesture Art Ear
 

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#2 ·
Holly's Jasper #1

Drawings for my new commission, the bust of a Swiss mountain dog carved from walnut, life size. 14" nape to nose, and 10.5" from ear to ear, 12" tall. This will be my most voluminous carving to date, and my first time with walnut. Sunday I am planning the 3, 14"x 12"x4" blocks on a planner to start, then hand planning to a finish fit. As part of my new procedure to make the process of excess wood removal easier I will be band sawing on 4 sides to make the blank closer to the finish product, leaving me more time for the fun of the detail. Only took me 15 months to figure this out….........
Gesture Art Rectangle Drawing Creative arts


Human body Jaw Gesture Art Ear
I am going to love watching this happen.
 

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#3 ·
Holly's Jasper #1

Drawings for my new commission, the bust of a Swiss mountain dog carved from walnut, life size. 14" nape to nose, and 10.5" from ear to ear, 12" tall. This will be my most voluminous carving to date, and my first time with walnut. Sunday I am planning the 3, 14"x 12"x4" blocks on a planner to start, then hand planning to a finish fit. As part of my new procedure to make the process of excess wood removal easier I will be band sawing on 4 sides to make the blank closer to the finish product, leaving me more time for the fun of the detail. Only took me 15 months to figure this out….........
Gesture Art Rectangle Drawing Creative arts


Human body Jaw Gesture Art Ear
LOL! Me too Monte, I am excited to start a new approach to my carvings with this piece.
 

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#6 ·
Holly's Jasper #3

Started working on the 3, 40 yr. old walnut slabs for the blank. Machine planned the patina off the surfaces to find some great figure…..
Table Furniture Wood Rectangle Flooring


Brown Wood Amber Flooring Wood stain


Hand planning the surfaces to be glued after lining them up so as to avoid what little checking there was (small chip missing from the middle piece will not affect the blank). Note; the plane is a pre WWII Stanley Bailey No. 6 I found on Ebay in almost new condition. After some clean up and tuning she is an awesome tool!
Table Rectangle Wood Floor Flooring


Table Wood Insect Desk Hardwood


Table Wood Cuisine Food Cutting board
 

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#7 ·
Holly's Jasper #3

Started working on the 3, 40 yr. old walnut slabs for the blank. Machine planned the patina off the surfaces to find some great figure…..
Table Furniture Wood Rectangle Flooring


Brown Wood Amber Flooring Wood stain


Hand planning the surfaces to be glued after lining them up so as to avoid what little checking there was (small chip missing from the middle piece will not affect the blank). Note; the plane is a pre WWII Stanley Bailey No. 6 I found on Ebay in almost new condition. After some clean up and tuning she is an awesome tool!
Table Rectangle Wood Floor Flooring


Table Wood Insect Desk Hardwood


Table Wood Cuisine Food Cutting board
Very interesting process
 

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#12 ·
Holly's Jasper #5

Final piece glued and clamped…...
Brown Wood Interior design Flooring Hardwood


Using a gouge to start the process of leveling the bottom. It will be finished with the plane, turned over and repeated on the top, then prints will be applied.
Wood Table Flooring Hardwood Wood stain
How long does a piece like this take to complete?

Good job.
 

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#16 ·
Holly's Jasper #7

Must have missed a day of posting! Blank was cut from block 4 days ago actually…...
Wood Rectangle Outdoor furniture Flooring Wood stain


Wood Wood stain Hardwood Varnish Flooring


Wood Flooring Floor Creative arts Wood stain


Yesterday I drew on the left side profile, carefully accounting for the distortion from the original flat paper drawing, to the multi - angled blank. Today I hope to finish the other side, and top view. Then the actual carving will begin!
Brown Wood Flooring Floor Beige


Wood Comfort Hardwood Varnish Tints and shades


Brown Wood Flooring Floor Amber
 

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#17 ·
Holly's Jasper #7

Must have missed a day of posting! Blank was cut from block 4 days ago actually…...
Wood Rectangle Outdoor furniture Flooring Wood stain


Wood Wood stain Hardwood Varnish Flooring


Wood Flooring Floor Creative arts Wood stain


Yesterday I drew on the left side profile, carefully accounting for the distortion from the original flat paper drawing, to the multi - angled blank. Today I hope to finish the other side, and top view. Then the actual carving will begin!
Brown Wood Flooring Floor Beige


Wood Comfort Hardwood Varnish Tints and shades


Brown Wood Flooring Floor Amber
Although still very skilled, this one my mind can grasp more. Being able to cut down to the rough outline. Lots of fun to watch.
 

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#18 ·
Holly's Jasper #8

Drawings are done on 3 sides, blank is secure on jig and jig to table (you will have to take my word on this, the pics were atrocious…..), my tools have been selected. Finishing commissioning an old Addis #4 3/4" gouge I purchased some months ago ( it was in bad shape, rounded bevel, uneven cutting edge and surface rust. Fortunately I have learned how to sharpen correctly and love to do it!), just some time on the Arkansas stone and some stropping to go and it's carvin' time!!!
Wood Automotive design Art Sculpture Creative arts


Wood Hardwood Flooring Varnish Wood stain


Wood Hardwood Art Tints and shades Flooring


Wood Hardwood Wood stain Flooring Table
 

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#19 ·
Holly's Jasper #8

Drawings are done on 3 sides, blank is secure on jig and jig to table (you will have to take my word on this, the pics were atrocious…..), my tools have been selected. Finishing commissioning an old Addis #4 3/4" gouge I purchased some months ago ( it was in bad shape, rounded bevel, uneven cutting edge and surface rust. Fortunately I have learned how to sharpen correctly and love to do it!), just some time on the Arkansas stone and some stropping to go and it's carvin' time!!!
Wood Automotive design Art Sculpture Creative arts


Wood Hardwood Flooring Varnish Wood stain


Wood Hardwood Art Tints and shades Flooring


Wood Hardwood Wood stain Flooring Table
Nice progress
 

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#23 ·
Holly's Jasper #10

Did some repair work today. Broke off a small piece of the jowl and almost let it go, but decided to do the full workup. homemade clamp for the chip, hand shaved inserts for the band saw over cuts. A little fitting, gluing, and tapping them home, then leaving them to dry did the trick.
Brown Wood Sleeve Floor Flooring


Amber Gesture Wood Tints and shades Thumb


Brown Wood Sleeve Tints and shades Hardwood


Brown Table Rectangle Wood Drawer


Brown Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain


Brown Wood Natural material Wood stain Hardwood


Brown Wood Floor Hardwood Flooring


Shaving off the excess, and the repair is almost done….
 

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#24 ·
Holly's Jasper #10

Did some repair work today. Broke off a small piece of the jowl and almost let it go, but decided to do the full workup. homemade clamp for the chip, hand shaved inserts for the band saw over cuts. A little fitting, gluing, and tapping them home, then leaving them to dry did the trick.














Shaving off the excess, and the repair is almost done….
Nice recovery! If you can build it, you can fix it.
 

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#27 ·
Holly's Jasper #11

Working into the basic shapes of the top of the muzzle heading down it's sides, and into the forehead towards the top of the head….
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Varnish Plank


Wood Wood stain Hardwood Varnish Natural material


Wood Sculpture Art Hardwood Wood stain


Wood Hardwood Rectangle Wood stain Natural material
I would be afraid of removing too much. Fascinating.
 

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#30 ·
Holly's Jasper #12

Further shaping of the face. Drew in new sections to be cut in….
Brown Wood Natural material Hardwood Cuisine


Wood Sleeve Wood stain Flooring Sculpture


Brown Wood Art Tints and shades Formation


Carved in features. The face is finally beginning to show!
Brown Wood Artifact Creative arts Art


Wood Table Creative arts Hardwood Artifact
Making progress. Great job.
 

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#33 ·
Holly's Jasper #13

Actually at this posting, both sides of the blank, ears, back of the head/neck are drawn, and I have drawn in part of the top, and have begun carving a little too…..just figured I save you guys the extra post! I will put up what I carved so far tomorrow, then back to the Sawcliffe Green man for a day or two.
Brown Wood Tableware Sleeve Wood stain


Brown Wood Sleeve Beige Collar


Wood Wood stain Hardwood Chair Varnish


Wood Sculpture Art Hardwood Artifact
 

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#34 ·
Holly's Jasper #13

Actually at this posting, both sides of the blank, ears, back of the head/neck are drawn, and I have drawn in part of the top, and have begun carving a little too…..just figured I save you guys the extra post! I will put up what I carved so far tomorrow, then back to the Sawcliffe Green man for a day or two.
Brown Wood Tableware Sleeve Wood stain


Brown Wood Sleeve Beige Collar


Wood Wood stain Hardwood Chair Varnish


Wood Sculpture Art Hardwood Artifact
Looking forward to the posts Michael. Git 'er done.
 

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#37 ·
Holly's Jasper #15

Worked on some large areas around the top/sides of the head and the front of the ears today…..
Wood Table Textile Hardwood Art


Wood Hardwood Flooring Creative arts Wood stain


Wood Flooring Hardwood Tints and shades Packing materials


Wood Automotive design Art Hardwood Wood stain


I thought something about the eye placement looked off, and took some measurements. Things weren't adding up! Fortunately after figuring out it was some of the eyebrow ridge and carved eye placement notches that needed cleaning up, all was well!
Table Wood Automotive design Wood stain Art
 

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#38 ·
Holly's Jasper #15

Worked on some large areas around the top/sides of the head and the front of the ears today…..
Wood Table Textile Hardwood Art


Wood Hardwood Flooring Creative arts Wood stain


Wood Flooring Hardwood Tints and shades Packing materials


Wood Automotive design Art Hardwood Wood stain


I thought something about the eye placement looked off, and took some measurements. Things weren't adding up! Fortunately after figuring out it was some of the eyebrow ridge and carved eye placement notches that needed cleaning up, all was well!
Table Wood Automotive design Wood stain Art
I am amazed the detail in every shaving made.
 

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#44 ·
Holly's Jasper #17

I have run into one of my most challenging learning situations since I have begun carving. Some background…..I take multiple angle photos of a subject when I carve in the round and print them up to keep at my workbench. Last week my client visited Virginia and I showed her the carving so far, and took some more pictures of Jasper's ears as the folds are complex. Once I got them home and printed them off my printer the detail was not as clear as I wanted, so I decided to take them to staples on a memory stick and see what they could do. Well, they came out like photographs from a 35mm camera! Upon getting home and looking over the other pics I had from off my printer, I decided I could no longer use them, or my printer for reference work! Back to Staples, got all the other pics printed there, then back home. Now the lesson I learned, never rely on any reference but the best you can get, or how you think it should be! The new clear prints showed me so much more than the old ones that I found I need to rework some small areas….no big deal, just some extra hours. But I did find one major error on the back side of the ear where the complex folds take place, I removed too much material from the wrong place. While I am not happy, and my pride is stung, I have a great opportunity to advance my knowledge of craftsmanship beyond what I learned about reference. Going back to some basics that I learned from Chris Pye's 'Woodcarving Workshops' I am going to (by the grace and will of God) fix the problem. I need to add a 2"x1.5"x.75" patch onto the back of Jasper's ear. I have cut out the receiving surfaces already and have gotten them close to flat. I am using the edge of a machinists rule to find the high spots now and taking them down with a No.2 and No.1 gouge. Next I will match grain with some scrap from the original block, cut the patch shape, and carefully work to fit it to the cut out on the carving. Then I will use 220 and 600 grit sanding screen to get surfaces as close as possible. Lastly I will go over the surfaces with the 220 again to leave some tooth for the glue to work with, glue, and clamp. Prayers are welcome!
Wood Jaw Creative arts Sculpture Artifact


Wood Creative arts Art Hardwood Wood stain


Wood Trunk Tints and shades Formation Tree


Wood Sculpture Artifact Art Creative arts


Wood Art Creative arts Tints and shades Sculpture
 

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#45 ·
Holly's Jasper #17

I have run into one of my most challenging learning situations since I have begun carving. Some background…..I take multiple angle photos of a subject when I carve in the round and print them up to keep at my workbench. Last week my client visited Virginia and I showed her the carving so far, and took some more pictures of Jasper's ears as the folds are complex. Once I got them home and printed them off my printer the detail was not as clear as I wanted, so I decided to take them to staples on a memory stick and see what they could do. Well, they came out like photographs from a 35mm camera! Upon getting home and looking over the other pics I had from off my printer, I decided I could no longer use them, or my printer for reference work! Back to Staples, got all the other pics printed there, then back home. Now the lesson I learned, never rely on any reference but the best you can get, or how you think it should be! The new clear prints showed me so much more than the old ones that I found I need to rework some small areas….no big deal, just some extra hours. But I did find one major error on the back side of the ear where the complex folds take place, I removed too much material from the wrong place. While I am not happy, and my pride is stung, I have a great opportunity to advance my knowledge of craftsmanship beyond what I learned about reference. Going back to some basics that I learned from Chris Pye's 'Woodcarving Workshops' I am going to (by the grace and will of God) fix the problem. I need to add a 2"x1.5"x.75" patch onto the back of Jasper's ear. I have cut out the receiving surfaces already and have gotten them close to flat. I am using the edge of a machinists rule to find the high spots now and taking them down with a No.2 and No.1 gouge. Next I will match grain with some scrap from the original block, cut the patch shape, and carefully work to fit it to the cut out on the carving. Then I will use 220 and 600 grit sanding screen to get surfaces as close as possible. Lastly I will go over the surfaces with the 220 again to leave some tooth for the glue to work with, glue, and clamp. Prayers are welcome!
Wood Jaw Creative arts Sculpture Artifact


Wood Creative arts Art Hardwood Wood stain


Wood Trunk Tints and shades Formation Tree


Wood Sculpture Artifact Art Creative arts


Wood Art Creative arts Tints and shades Sculpture
Looking good. Skill of the craftsman is dealing with mistakes. I am sure that it will be completely unnoticeable.
 

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#50 ·
Holly's Jasper #18

Patch is now done and fits well. The next challenge will be the glue up and clamping as the back of the patch is the only flat surface I have to work with!
Wood Gesture Hardwood Tints and shades Wood stain


Brown Wood Brick Hardwood Tints and shades


Hand Wood Gesture Finger Art
Very cool. Always interesting how others repair their work.
 

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#58 ·
Holly's Jasper #21

Both ears, back of the head and neck are done! It took a while, but It was a challenge! Now onto the Sawcliffe Green man for a few days, then when I return to this, I will be setting up on a vertical jig to access the bottom of the muzzle and the lower jaw….then comes the detailing!
Wood Artifact Art Natural material Creative arts


Wood Creative arts Artifact Art Flooring


Wood Sculpture Artifact Art Statue


Wood Sculpture Statue Artifact Flooring


Wood Creative arts Artifact Art Sculpture
 

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#59 ·
Holly's Jasper #21

Both ears, back of the head and neck are done! It took a while, but It was a challenge! Now onto the Sawcliffe Green man for a few days, then when I return to this, I will be setting up on a vertical jig to access the bottom of the muzzle and the lower jaw….then comes the detailing!
Wood Artifact Art Natural material Creative arts


Wood Creative arts Artifact Art Flooring


Wood Sculpture Artifact Art Statue


Wood Sculpture Statue Artifact Flooring


Wood Creative arts Artifact Art Sculpture
Very incredible work
 

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#60 ·
Holly's Jasper #22

Back to the big dog! Vertical jig mount (I made this jig to do the same area on my daughter Ravrn's horse), the piece is so heavy I braced it, this also prevents any vibration even when I am whacking away with the #9, 1" gouge and the 18 oz. mallet.
Wood Creative arts Art Font Hardwood


Wood Art Flooring Sculpture Hardwood


Wood Art Creative arts Tints and shades Hardwood


Now, just the fur at the base of the throat, blending the top and bottom lips and sanding will finish this section (sanding will be done when the rest is carved).
Wood Sculpture Hardwood Flooring Art


Wood Sculpture Art Statue Artifact


Wood Sculpture Art Statue Table


When I come back again from the Green man, I will be starting the final detailing nose back.
 

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#61 ·
Holly's Jasper #22

Back to the big dog! Vertical jig mount (I made this jig to do the same area on my daughter Ravrn's horse), the piece is so heavy I braced it, this also prevents any vibration even when I am whacking away with the #9, 1" gouge and the 18 oz. mallet.
Wood Creative arts Art Font Hardwood


Wood Art Flooring Sculpture Hardwood


Wood Art Creative arts Tints and shades Hardwood


Now, just the fur at the base of the throat, blending the top and bottom lips and sanding will finish this section (sanding will be done when the rest is carved).
Wood Sculpture Hardwood Flooring Art


Wood Sculpture Art Statue Artifact


Wood Sculpture Art Statue Table


When I come back again from the Green man, I will be starting the final detailing nose back.
Your skill is amazing
 

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