First bear carving.

[Doug51]

A first for me. Carving of a bear. I have a little cub that I'm try to make also. Any advice or tips are appreciated on it. I'm going to paint it but not sure I'm finished with it just yet.

[sunknife]

Lookin' good Doug. I wanna see it again after your put the paint to it so be sure to post the pics.

[Steve Warden]

Very cool!
At first glance "Polar bear" flashed in my mind.
Maybe finish with ivory white? Kinda give it a Made in Alaska look?

[doglegg]

Doug you just keep improving with your whittling. Great job. Brown or black on the paint?

[Mr. Chips]

You might try using a propane torch to burn the surface a bit, and then brush with a fine steel or brass brush. Boiled linseed oil after that, for a nice non shiny finish.
Practice on scrap wood first.
Shiny, or glossy finishes on carvings drive me nuts. Help me with my mental health by NOT even considering any form of varnish, Varathane or the like.
Acrylic paint will work too. here's how.
Thin the acrylic paint with water until you think it is absurdly thin. Then thin it some more. Have some newspaper nearby. Fill the brush with your thinned paint, and take a swipe over some of the printed text on the newspaper. (this does not work on online articles!). If you cannot read the print easily through the paint, thin it some more. Seriously. Beginners rarely thin the paint enough.

Before applying the thinned paint to the carving, wash it with soap and water using a scrub brush. While the carving is still a bit wet, apply ONE Coat of the thinned paint. Let it dry. It won't look all that great YET. Do not succumb to the temptation to put on another coat. Dip your brush in some full strength white paint and brush it out on the newspaper or a scrap of wood until there is almost no paint left in the brush and then apply the dusting of white to your whole carving. Let it dry for a day or so. Then liberally apply the boiled (not raw) linseed oil to the carving and let it soak for a bit. Use a rag to wipe off the carving and you will have a nice finish. Hang the oily rag up on something out of doors so that it can dry - if left in a bunch it can spontaneously ignite.

[Doug51]

Thanks for the compliments everyone

Mr Chips. Thanks for the idea. I'm thinking I might try burning and a brush.

A few people who have seen it want me to leave it like it is. I have made a few little refinements to it.I've added eyes and a nose and mouth and shaped the face ,ear's and legs a little bit more. It probably wouldn't show up in a picture very well but I'm finding that little details really add to a carving like this. I'm learning slowly that a few little cuts in the right places really make a difference. I'm going to try to find some other carvers this winter to carve with. Hopefully it will speed up the learning curve. I always appreciate any ideas or advice anyone has for me here.Thanks

[mrwatch]

caution do not use steel wool. The particles can remain stuck and rust in the wood. I would paint it with black gesso. or use white and tone it with brown acrylic. wetting it will raise the fibers. Next make a roll over bear that turns itself up rite. Is it Bass Wood?

[Doug51]

caution do not use steel wool. The particles can remain stuck and rust in the wood. I would paint it with black gesso. or use white and tone it with brown acrylic. wetting it will raise the fibers. Next make a roll over bear that turns itself up rite. Is it Bass Wood?

Yes made out of basswood. I have never seen a roll over bear. Do you happen to have a picture or pattern of one?
My wife wanted me to leave this one natural. So I guess my next one will be painted. Thanks for the advise

[jmh58]

That's really KOOL there Doug!!! John

[Doug51]

That's really KOOL there Doug!!! John

Thanks John!

[Doug51]

Doug you just keep improving with your whittling. Great job. Brown or black on the paint?

Thanks! I ended up leaving it natural on this one. That what my wife wanted:-)
Have you been carving anything lately?

[Quick Steel]

Fine work Doug. Very impressive.

[Doug51]

Fine work Doug. Very impressive.

Thanks!

[doglegg]

Doug you just keep improving with your whittling. Great job. Brown or black on the paint?

Thanks! I ended up leaving it natural on this one. That what my wife wanted:-)
Have you been carving anything lately?

Hardly anything, just being lazy. Got to get it in gear.

[mrwatch]

I would spray it with DEFT clear lacker darn spell check. Menards paint and stains dept. or Krylon 1311 clear, Walmart paint department. picture later of the bear. do a google search for ideas. mainly head down tight.

[mrwatch]

excuse the pictures. roll over bear stops up rite. 3 inch long 2 1/4 high. black gesso, opaque acrylic paint. 2006 club project.

[doglegg]

As most other things I have seen of yours MrW, that is quality and cool. Thanks for posting it.

[Doug51]

Mr Watch That's pretty neat! I have never seen one before. thanks for the pictures.

[Doug51]

This one is by far the smallest carving I have ever attempted. I'm happy with the way it turned out.

[Doug51]

A little different angle

[stagman]

Pretty tedious stuff there Doug, turned out great...always did amaze me
what some fella's can do with a pocket knife and a chunk of wood !!!

Will
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/stagman

[mrwatch]

Thanks, as I recall the heavy lines were done with a Detail Master wood burner turned to high. red tip and lot's of smoke! I also have a 35,000 rpm micro carver. with different collets. my dentist saved some diamond drills and autoclave'd them for me. nice because I also have a right angle Foredom hand piece that they lock into.

[TripleF]

Knice

[Steve Warden]

Very cool Doug!!