Carving

[Zuma]

palioguy was looking for a carving tutorial in the Cecil?? thread.
I don't have one but I did find a few drawings and I think I
could find a few old photos of some work.
If you have some plans and techniques you would like
to share please post them. I will try my best to answer any questions.
I have cut wood since I was a kid but have to work at the art part.
I am not a natural at proportion. Plenty of wood here where I now live.
Zuma

[Zuma]

I was a framming carpenter and didn't really
care for the tedious trim work. So I gravitated
to large wood. The soap stone is recent.

[bowandarrow473]

You are one heck of an artist, very nice work!

[Zuma]

Thanks bowandarrow,
The best way I have found to keep
the big logs from splitting is to make
a relief cut if possible.
The horse is an example.
The back part of the headress on
the Braves is split from head to butt.
If you can get air to the center of the log,
the more even the drying can be.
Zuma

[Pat B]

Vey nice carving, Zuma. 

[Zuma]

Thanks Pat
I really enjoy it.
Here are a couple smaller carvings.
With smaller wood you can leave it dry in a cool shaded
place with as little air flow as possible.
Takes a while. I had the gator log for 20 years before
I started cutting.