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This carving is done in Elm. I have been studying Michelangelo's work and got inspiration from his work! I can definitely see the requirements for a multitude of chisels. I fought very hard trying to use a limited number of chisels and found myself using knives and developing different cuts to create cuts. Also drag sweeping edges of different chisels. I had a marvelous time. Michelangelo's work is simply exquisite and his body lines and flow clearly show why he was a Master of anatomy and sculpture!!! Well have fun Lumberjocks and keep on creating!!!!!!!!!!!

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Very nice Michael.
It's hard to find a greater inspiration in the field of sculpture (or art in general for that matter).
I've had the opportunity to see several of his pieces in Florence and Rome and they are truly magnificent .
Amazing that he was really just a youth when he did some of his best work.
You have your work cut out for you but I have faith in your talent and dedication.
 

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Very nicely done!
 

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Thanks Paul you are to kind! You are so fortunate to have seen his work in person! I find his style to my liking and am very excited to try to attempt more. His work seems to complement basswood more because it's more stone looking (white). No grain pattern. I really like to let the grain do what it will and create whatever is there! I guess I will have to learn to integrate technical carving with reading grain carving. I do believe Michelangelo was a very gifted sculptor!!!!!!!!! Who say's the wood doesn't talk to you. This piece had a lot to say and humbled me and allowed me to attempt my hand at carving my King!!!!!!!!!! Thank you John!
 

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Well done. Its beautiful.
 

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Wow,, that is beautiful and impressive work. The carving is so expressive and full of character.
 

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Truly beautiful work!
 

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Thank You Lumberjocks your kind words give one desire to try to improve. Someday with a lot more studying and guidance I will sculpt a statue worthy of the warmth and kindness I see in this group of people. Now I know that is setting my sights very high but the journey and adventure will be very exciting!!!!!!!!!
 

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You have a true gift, very amazing
Dave
 

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Beautiful Work. Best of luck to you . Follow your dreams. Gary
 

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Thank You Dave and Gary. I really do enjoy listening to the wood!!!!
 

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Fantastic carving.
 

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Michael, beautiful work.
about taking in account the grains, according to my experience:
1. usually, we carve the sculpture at the same direction of the trunk growth, it is easy and less breaking parts.
2. In case you need to carve a small piece like a horizontal hand of a standing figure, it will be difficult since the hand can be broken easily. so, in some cases it is better to do it with another piece of wood and to carve it along the growth direction.
3. I tried but never succeed to calculate where the nice grain which I saw at the two edges of the trunk will fall on the sculpture.
4. I realized that in case you have a wide enough trunk, cut the bottom edge (the basis) of the trunk in diagonal, so, you will carve the figure along the diagonal of the growth direction. In this case you will get the most attractive view of the grain on a facial sculpture. i never did it because of the fact that in my area, we are lack of big trunks available for me to carve. I understood this fact by viewing turning works which was done in diagonal to the trunk growth.
 

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Thank You A1JIM and Charles always glad to hear from you!!!!!!! Eli Thank you for your valuable insight. It makes so much sense to me and will definitely save me some headache! So with your advice in mind I have decided to use Michelangelo's sculpture the Young Giant 1530-1533. It brings his hand back down to flow with the grain of the wood. I hate to add any parts to a sculpture. Sometimes I can be stubborn. I don't try to figure out where the grain direction will be best or if the sculpture will look like the plate or picture. I make a rough sketch on a piece of wood and let my chisels track where ever they want and look for the form among the grain. I use technical carving to try and keep the form in balance. I guess there is no explanation to my madness but I am like the little kid opening a box of cracker jack. Excited to discover what waits inside!!!! Thanks Eli for saving me from what have could've been a bad headache! I value your advice!!!!!!!!!!!
 

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Respect, very nice
 

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Thank You Steliart and Don. Also welcome to Lumberjocks Don!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

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Nice Work Michael,
I like the natural grain to show, gives work character.
What's the finish?
 
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