As several carvers have ask me to do a post on carving this character I thought I'd just do the whole thing all over again from the beginning so you can follow along and make one of your own.
First, let's see just what the action is with this poor fella standing out in the reservation snow. It's pretty cold outside so he has wrapped himself up in his Government issued blanket. His right arm comes up across his chest and holds the blanket on his left shoulder. You can see his beaded mocs and the top hat he was fortunate enough to trade for. He's added a beaded strip and an eagle feather to spruce it up a bit. Still, as this months beef issue is late as usual he's not to happy about facing the wife once he gets back to the Tipi and she finds out that it's fry-bread for dinner and nothing else. Poor fella!
I've purposely kept this figure as simple as possible as I wanted to concentrate on the painting and snow techniques. We'll do the top hat and braids separately to make it even easier. Doing the braids separate will let us keep them down tight against the blanket so they look natural. I've drawn out the front profile only as I think you can figure out the side by yourself. The body without the head is 8" tall and 3" wide. You can resize it if you want but this size makes a nice little presentation.
As I've done this character already don't be surprised if this one will be a little different. That's okay! Even I don't like copying my own work! A little change here and there will make the new one unique from the old and that's always a good thing to strive for. Also, I've figured out a better and much easier way to make the snow base. So, let's get started.
Another good one Lynn, both the techniques and the indian , thanks
ReplyDeleteNice one Lynn, however, one comment, on the base where the show prints are and you use reisn, why not a more natural looking snow like SnoTex?
ReplyDeleteTo me the Indian looks really great except for the snow base. to shinny.
However, nice carving and paint job and up to your standards. I like it.
Kenny.....I should have added this to the post. If you could look at snow on the same scale as the figure the only thing you would see is the color white and the soft look of the surface. Artificial snow is okay for Christmas trees or life-size figures but the scale of it just doesn't match a small figure like this one. Also, overtime it just wouldn't hold up. Like the hull of a fiberglass boat, I know this snow will be around for a while. If it gets dirty you can clean it too.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn -
ReplyDeleteAnother successful project for you, and thanks again for sharing. I think one thing you "sort of" glossed over in your painting technique is that you made the face reddish pink in nature and more red in those areas typically colored that way when we do get cold. Really adds very nicely to the overall effect.
Have been following Your blog since the Tulsa show when I got the web address from Judy. It really is an impressive site. If it doesn't help me at the show, it certainly has made me a better carver. One request, any chance that you might include a horse on the site ?
ReplyDeleteHey Lynn, I sure would like for us to carve this Indian. You want to do another one and put it on your Blog?
ReplyDeleteHey thanks for all the time you put into sharing with us.
Happy Holidays,
Deb
Lynn, I'm ready to add the snow with the "tooth-brush" techneque you discussed. My question is: Do I cover his face so no flakes get on it or leave it uncovered and just let the flakes fly down in random letting them get on the face area?
ReplyDeleteBill....Sorry about being lax on this project. Lot of stuff going on around here with the storm and now the snow. Yes....cover his face. Look at it this way....snow falls down so any area not protected will get it. Areas move exposed to the downward fall, i.e., shoulders, top of hat, hat brim, etc will receive more that the front of the body. I squeeze out a glob of white and then dip my toothbrush into some water then mix that with a little white. Use something dark to practice on before you apply the snow. Then, splatter it on from above the figure so you get the natural look. Once thats done I finish up with a brush to add some big dollops on the hat, brim, shoulders and around the bottom of his blanket where it would drag through the snow.
ReplyDeleteALso, make sure you have your varnished before you apply the snow. Applying it after would dull the white.
Good luck.
Thanks Lynn, I also feel that snow actually on the face wouldn't look real, body heat would melt it too fast to have any lasting effect if compared to other body areas, I will cover the facial area and thanks for the tip on finishing it first, I'll apply my Deft satin spray first.
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ReplyDelete