Looks Like More Rain - Finished

Better head back to the Bunkhouse Bucky its looking like a real frog strangler is coming!
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This rain-soaked cowboy turned out really nice. As I said earlier there is not that much detail to him but theres just enough to get the point across. Although it doesn't show up in the photos to well he is standing in a puddle of water made with epoxy resin. The lariat is made from 3 strands of twisted wire and it's length is about 30 scale feet. It takes a little effort to get that wire into his hands. Once in place I epoxied it.
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I have no doubt that this figure will not be on the table long as people like a character that tells a story and this guy clearly does that.
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More photos in the Gallery and your comments are appreciated.

Pancho Project Part 16 – Wrapping Things Up

Finally!  This post will wrap up the series on carving Pancho.  There are more photos in the gallery and the last video is below.  Hope you all enjoyed this journey down south of the border.  As always your comments are welcomed and appreciated.

Looks Like More Rain!

Thought you might like to see this fella before he heads over to the paint table. He will be wearing a yellow slicker, holding a lariat and standing in a pool of water. I'll use some really high gloss varnish to simulate water on the slicker and then epoxy resin to make the puddle. All the area of the figure out of the rain will be left flat.

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Not much detail on him being as he's wearing a raincoat but then that's the way it is. I'll probably give him a black hat which should make a strong contrast with the coat. Ought to be a pretty striking figure even though it's a simple one.

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More photos in the Gallery and your comments are always appreciated.

Pancho Project Part 15 – Finishing The Hat

As I’ve received quite a few requests to see this project through to completion I’ll comply with your wishes.  With this video I show how to put the finishing touches to the hat.  Also, in the hope it might help you to keep your paint brushes in top shape I explain and demonstrate how I go about doing just that. 

Why Is This Man Smiling?

I really don't think I have to add much to this post. The photo says it all.

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Congratulations again Myron...Well deserved!

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I'm Still Here!

Let me apologize for the lack of posts lately. We've been involved with a few other projects around the place for the past couple of weeks. Hopefully, we can get back to some whittling in the next few days.
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One thing I want to mention is that I've decided to bring the Pancho bust or bottlestopper project to a close. Since someone has just posted their completed version of this figure prior to the tutorials completion my interest in it has completely evaporated. I will try to start a new series with a different character in the near future.
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Thanks for your continued interest in this Blog.

Pancho Project Part 14 – More Painting

Continuing on with the painting of Pancho, in this video we finish up with applying the black dots to his hat, we draw in the lines for the poncho’s striped design, and finally we prime the surface of the cloth area in preparation for the stripes. 

Pancho Project Part 13 – Painting The Head

Pancho Project Part 12 – Painting The Hat

Just A Moment To Say.....Thanks!

It's been a few years now since I first started this experiment in digital woodcarving and as the interest in it seems to be always on the increase I just want to take a moment to say Thanks for your support and encouragement. I lifted the graph on the left from the site monitor this morning.....can you tell when the videos started? I guess I don't need to ask if that idea worked. I will admit that making those videos kind of cuts into my own whittling but that's okay.....the response to them is more than worth any effort on our part.

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So, thanks again! And I hope you'll stick around as I've got big plans for this place.

Pancho Project Part 11 – An Earring & A Little Smoke

We give the character an earring, burn on a little detail,  run him through the sander and he’s ready for the paint table.

And The Winner Is.....Myron Compton!

Congratulations Myron! Of all the submissions I think your sculpture represents the character Quigley the best. Your carving technique is clean and crisp and your painting amplifies those aspects and brings your figure to life. Your details are spot on. Considering all of these things I'm proud to declare you the winner of the first Out West Challenge.

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To the rest of you....as I said before you are all winners in my book. It's clear when looking over the entries that a lot of time and care went into your efforts. I hope this little contest forced you to stretch a little by developing a carving that is truely yours. Also, as I mentioned earlier, if you would like for me to comment individually on your piece just drop me an email and I'll give you my honest opinion.

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Again, to Myron...."You are definitely the man!" at least till next year. The trophy will be in the mail as soon as I get the name tag ordered and nailed on.

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There are more photos of Myron's carving in the Gallery. Of course your comments are welcome.

Out West Woodcarving Facebook Page

I just started an Out West Woodcarving Facebook page where you can discuss topics associated with the Blog or just shoot the breeze with your fellow woodcarvers. Here's the link:

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http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?tid=1355333926386#!/group.php?gid=299329207680

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It's a public group so make sure you keep it clean.

Times Up! Here Are The Entries!

Wow! What a great group of carvings. A total of 26 entries were received. While we had a larger number who signed up at the beginning I think this group is pretty good considering this is the first time. Now comes the hard part.....trying to pick a winner. One thing I noticed right off is the time, care and research some put in on their piece....not only on the figure but also on it's presentation. That's great. A lot of us forget just how important that aspect of creating something is.
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I'll try and put up the final result later this week but there is one thing I want you all to remember. In my book there are 26 winners of this competition and I only wish there was some way I could present 26 trophies. Unfortunately, I can't do that.
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In the Gallery is a new album that contains individual photos of all the carvings. I did my best to pick the one photo that I think best shows your effort. Some I retouched and tuned up a little. If for some reason you don't see your carving there please advise me ASAP so I can ensure that it gets in there.
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A number of you have ask if I would critique their pieces and this I will gladly do after the winner has been announced. Just send me an email and we'll do it that way.
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Again, to all of you, thanks! It's been fun.

Pancho Project-part 10-Finishing Up The Carving

With this video we finish up with the carving part of the project.  It’s rather long….30 minutes.   I got kind of carried away but just wanted to get the job done.  As I say in the video this is going to be a really neat piece once he’s painted up.   As always, your comments are appreciated.

Pancho Project-Part 9-The Sombrero

We pick this one up with the Sombrero being as we lost the video on carving the Poncho.