Another wood spirit - but still not how I want it.

[silentbob]

Finished another wood spirit today (this one is for my girlfriend). I'm happy with it but it still isn't anything like what I see in my head when I first start out. I guess (and hope) the ability to create what you imagine comes with time/experience. I think I'll try a much bigger one next and use a chisel to remove the main bulk of the wood then the gouges for the finer detail. This one took ages using just gouges!
woodspirit2.jpg

woodspirit1.jpg

[Mesquite]

That's a great woodspirit

I wish I could carve a quarter as good as that

[Shambling Shaman]

Love it....

[Biker]

Oh wow, that's really good that! It has personailty too. I'd be well chuffed. I think having an image in your head and the final result is often down to how much you're willing to a compromise between the two. However if this is an early attempt I can't wait to see what you're like once you "get good" at it.

+1 about using chisels for the rough work, but gouges work just as good, at least big gouges, not the iddy biddy detail carving gouges.

Well done! Hope the girlfriend liked it too.

[sasquatch]

Looks great, thanks for sharing!

[Dannytsg]

Very nice work there!

[jorn]

Nice spirit!
I always kind of like the way things never turn out the way you plan when working with wood. It gives the item a certain personality all of its own.
Keep up the good work!

[woodspirits]

cracking work there bob,

ill echo Aarons words, take out the bulk with your bigger tools and as you work in the smaller gouges come into their own, well done mate! something to be proud of. is that a piece of cherry?

steve

[Dreadhead]

thats one awesome woodspirit!

[Stringmaker]

That is sensational!

I really want to have a go at this but it would have to be the wood equivalent of a stick man to begin with.

[silentbob]

Thanks everyone for the comments.

is that a piece of cherry?

It is cherry, I have a few pieces lying around that I found a couple of years ago.
I'll try the next one using chisels as people have suggested then do the finer details with the set of small gouges I have. Hopefully doing it like this will be quicker and let me achieve the appearance I'm looking for.