The Coal Miner - Part 4 - More Nose

Okay!  We're back!  It was such a nice day I moved a chair outside for a little fresh air whittling.


Coal Miner - Part 4-More Nose from Out West Woodcarving Videos on Vimeo.

Now Where'd He Go?

           


In case you're wondering what happened to us, here's one reason. We have many others. Hope to get back to carving as soon as we stack some wood.

The Coal Miner - Part 3 - Nose & Mustache

I hope things are a little easier to see with this one. We turned off some lights and repositioned the camera to give a better picture. I can't turn off any more lights or I'll be carving in the dark. That new camera is just too sensitive I guess.

Coal Miner - Part 3-Nose & Mustache from Out West Woodcarving Videos on Vimeo.

Coal Miner - Part 2 - He Loses His Hat!

Here's part 2!

Coal Miner - Part 2 - He Loses His Hat! from Out West Woodcarving Videos on Vimeo.

Hard Rock Miner

That coal seam ran out so this guy headed west to the gold and silver fields of western Colorado.  He's not mining ore up in the mountains hear Silverton.  Harder rock but not as dirty that that filthy black stuff.

I had originally painted his shirt the color of chambray but it almost exactly matched the mine tailing he's mounted on.  So I changed it to Midnight Blue and dirtied it up with some Raw Umber and a lighter tan.  I think I spent more time constructing that little lantern than anything else but it looks pretty sharp.

Hope you like him.  I promise we'll be getting back to that fella still stuck in those coal pits.  More photos in the gallery and your comments are always welcome.

Coal Miner - Part 2 - Changes?

Well, I told you I was just going to "wing it" with this character as that's what I normally do when coming up with figures.  I had an old head laying around and thought I'd just try out some details on it to see how things would look.  Well, they look pretty good!  So........ I'm going to give this project a little more thought before proceeding on to see if I can come up with a better and easier way to portray him while still keeping many of the ideas I had for the earlier one.

That green looking rock is a piece of mine tailing we picked up last fall which 4wheeling up in the mountains near St. Elmo, CO. If I can locate a piece of coal I'll swap it out.  Making the lantern was really fun trying to come up with ways and material to create it.  The body was just a piece of dowel whittled to the shape  and the front reflector was made with a ball-peen hammer and a piece of cooper, pounding it into a dished shape.  The flint striker is just bent wire and the center flame mechanism is wood.  The hat bill is TUPELO.  Let me repeat that TUPELO!  I don't know how I came up with Catalpa last time as I don't have a piece of that wood in my shop.

Anyway, there are a few more photos in the Gallery and I'll try and get things back on track here real soon.

The Coal Miner - Part 1 - The Head & Hat

Here we go again.   But first...OPPS!  When I say that bill on Sherlock's hat is made from Catalpa I meant to say Tupelo!  Sorry.


Coal Miner - Part 1 - The Head & Hat from Out West Woodcarving Videos on Vimeo.

What's Next?

Lots of great suggestions.  I think we'll go with the idea of doing a Miner as that would be a great platform for lots of neat details.  I can see pick axes, shovels, carbide lamps, lunch pail, wheel barrow, maybe even an ore cart and a hole in the mountain.  Sound like a challenge?  I think so.   I'll keep him in the period of the late 1800's and downsize the figure from what I've normally been carving.  I think I still have some coal left over from my model train days that will come in handy.  Will probably have to buy an extra tube of black paint too!  Could that be a wad in his jaw?

Stay tuned!  The fun's about to begin!

White Eagle - Finished!

Put the final touches on this Redskin this morning so here he is.  Turned out almost as well as I thought it would but there are a few areas that could have been improved upon.  I tried something new with the base by making it a little more artsy-fartsy!  I just bought a new chop-saw so just had to try it out with some new angles.  Presentation is 90 percent of anything so the better the platform the better your work looks!  It's as simple as that and it's a shame that most still don't realize it.

Again, to improve his facial coloring I went over the entire area with a wash of  a rich brown to give a more bronze look instead of a reddish one.  I also added more texture to the feathers.  To simulate a fur wrap on his braids I carved, painted with Mod-Podge and then sifted on a layer of the material I use for bases with gives a rough but pleasing appearance similar to fur, especially when highlighted with a little dry brushing.  I also lightened up the leather of the robe more than normal. The earrings are made from pounded copper, bent into rings, soldered and then inserted once the piece is completely finished.

There are more photos in the gallery and I look forward to your comments.

Next Video Project?

Any suggestions on what we should do next?  I'm open to any good ideas as long as they aren't Santas or Hiking Sticks.  Fire away!

Who's Up For An Auction?

It's been a while since we did the last one and being as we missed the Kansas City show I'll put this worried Rodeo Clown on the block.  As before, we'll start it off with no reserve, however this time shipping will NOT be part of the winning bid.  Also, to keep you from having to stay up late let's end it in the morning. So..........

THE BIDDING STARTS NOW AND WILL END AT 07:00AM CST ON FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013!

The winning bid will be the one posted closest to the closing time in the Comment section to this Blog post. 

"The Bullfighter" stands approximately 10" tall. I carved it several years ago.  While the photo doesn't show it, it does have a brass nameplate.  If you look closely you can see a few beads of sweat forming on his forehead so that ugly hunk of beef must have him firmly in his sights and lined up for a direct hit.  I't a great piece, lots of humor and color.  So........

Good luck and let the fun begin!