Archive for December, 2007

20
Dec

MERRY CHRISTMAS

   Posted by: woodbeecarver    in Santa Carvings

Merry ChristamsChristmas is a special time to be reminded again that peace and good will happens every time, no matter what time of year it is, when we give our selves away in love and friendship.  In the wood carving world such a friendhip is experienced over and over again where ever and when ever wood carvers gather together.  There is a spirit of generosity and willingness to help one another and share the experiences of wood carving. Read the rest of this entry »

20
Dec

MINIATURE CARVINGS – Under Two Inches

   Posted by: woodbeecarver    in Miniatures

A Fish StoryThe WOOD BEE CARVER is primarily a knife carver who started out as a young boy whittling with a pocket knife.  Thus, the pocket knife has been the first favorite carving knife even though custom made knives and commercial knives make up the arsenal of Whittle-Carving tools.

The key, learned over the years of experience is that a knife properly sharpened, no matter the make or brand will serve as a reliable carving tool.  Whittle-Carving is a term the WOOD BEE CARVER  uses to describe carving a hand held project and using only a knife to carve the wood to its final detail. Read the rest of this entry »

10
Dec

CARVINGS PAINTED SOFTLY

   Posted by: woodbeecarver    in Tutorials

SANTA CARVING A SANTAThe WOOD BEE CARVER applies a soft painted finish on his carvings using a combination of artist oil paint and boiled linseed oil.  This painting method is adapted from a method developed by John Heatwole, a woodcarver from Virginia who wrote an article entitled “Painted Carvings” in the March/April 1987 issue of Fine Woodworking.

Boiled Linseed Oil contains a chemical dryer that allows the mixture with artist oil paints when applied to a wood carving to dry within a few days.  The genius of this method is to apply a base coat over the entire carving if it is a small carving or if it is a large carving, apply the base coat over sections that are to be painted in sequence. The base coat is a combination of RAW SIENNA and BOILED LINSEED OIL mixed thoroughly together until it looks like honey in color and consistency.  The amount of each is a trial and error experiment, for example, combine two table spoons of Boiled Linseed Oil and a 3/4 inch strip of Raw Sienna squeezed out of the tube of artist oil paint.  Mix with a palette knife by squashing the paint into the boiled linseed oil until all the lumps are squashed away.  Then take a small stiff bristled artist paint brush to mix the mixture together into a finer consistency. If too thin, add a little more Raw Sienna oil paint from the tube or if not thin enough, add a few drops of Boiled Linseed Oil and mix thoroughly.  This suggested amount will cover a carving three inches wide and twelve inches tall or it will cover six smaller carvings which once again is simply  trial and error. Read the rest of this entry »

5
Dec

WOOD BEE CARVER TOOL CADDY

   Posted by: woodbeecarver    in BEE Buzz

mouse-trap-002.JPGThe WOOD BEE CARVER offers a tip for making an inexpensive Tool Caddy to receive twenty three palm carving tools made out of a 4 X 6 Index Box that can be purchased from Staples for under $7.00.  The “WOOD BEE CARVER TOOL CADDY – Photo Trail” photos are a visual path beginning with photo one showing the Tool Caddy holding 23 palm tools.

Photo two shows eighteen tools at home in the Tool Caddy with five tools in front waiting to be placed in their respective holes.  The five tools in front have had their handles dipped in Plastic Dip to create non-slip handles. Read the rest of this entry »