Carving Question

[Ace Lungger]

Howdy Pards!
I tried this today.
It is nice to use a swivel knife that is sharp! (Thanks to all that advise me that my blades were not sharp)
I decided to carve a spur strap that I got out of one of the W.G. pattern sets I bought. The outlines of the pattern worked fine, but after I got it knife out and bevel, I fould my self lost, because I didn't have a picture to show me where the high lights were to be, and the shadows were to be, so it didn't turn out very good. I realize that is because of my lack of artisic ability!
Does anyone else that is starting to learn to carve have that problem!

ACE

[Mogorilla]

Count me there too!   I usually have tried to copy someone, which I really am not fond of.  I don't mind pulling inspiration from places, but like to put my own stamp so to say.   I think knowing where to add shading etc, comes with time and practice.  So, I should get back to it.

[Johnny Dingus]

Yes Ace,  I am there to bro.

Sometimes I wonder if I am beveling on the right side of the cut.  And right now cause of my lack of experiance when I get done with the holster the carving looks a lot older cause it does not stand out much.
We will get there with more practice.
Keep it up Ace,  I know I am.


Johnny Dingus

[santee]

Yeah, one of the reasons I drink.
Seriously, many folks on here mention wanting a photo of the finished piece to go by. Maybe experience is what we need, Ace.

[cowboywc]

Howdy
Every beginner struggles with where to bevel. Just remember beveling is done to the outside of the lines most times. It is to show what is on top of what. It shows what petal on a flower is overlapping and what leaf or stem or vine is on top of what.
Look at a carved piece and study the design. See the pieces that lay on top and how the beveling shows that.
Hope this helps.
WC

[Ace Lungger]

Thanks WC,
  I think my biggest problem is, I am so bored I think should be able to do this in a short period of time, and I know that doesn't happen! And this is like everything else you have to pay your dues!
Good Luck Fella's all we can do is keep trying!
later ACE

[Gun Butcher]

  Ace, you got it right bud, all we can do is keep practicing.  My problem is that 20 years ago I wasn't half bad at this stuff now I am relearning things that I use to know. That wouldn't be so bad if the fingers and the mind were still working together the way they once did

[Dr. Bob]

GB,

Let me tell you, getting old is NOT for the faint of heart!

[Slowhand Bob]

I am the last person who should be giving advice on tooling, always been told I lack depth perspective, but will say this is one place that an 'in person' teacher can help give you a jump start.  Tandy is the easiest place to find one BUT a Tandy is not always around, so this is where a little creativity might be in order.  Perhaps you could beg the closest big city store manager to condense a set of classes into a one weekend proposition and who knows, that format might even attract others once in a while.  I would also be mighty surprised if you did not live relatively close to a leather carver and a bit of attention on your part might persuade a helping hand from such a person.  Who knows, if your as obnoxious as me, they might give you a couple of quick lessons to get you to stop coming around.  Books, or other media, using flat images have never been of much help to me, when trying to achieve dimensional perspective, but perhaps others would have a better eye for this.  When all else fails, remember that you can learn to use that swivel knife like a pencil and flat and low relief carving were common on old west leather.

There is one secret that I am almost unwilling to share, my last ditch plan 'b'.  The next time the missus kicks me out I'm heading north to Chuck's place to crash fer a few months of personal tutelage by the 'Yoda of leather' himself!  HMMM, wonder what kind of cold beer he keeps in the frig? 

[Ace Lungger]

Slowhand Bob,
You are 100% right as far as it goes for me! I need hands on instuctions! I had a guy offer to help me, that would of be less than 1/2 the drive tohis place,rather than a Tandy store, but this offer was given to me, right as it was getting cold, and the cold keeps me in the house! I pmed the guy last week, but I am afraid something might of happen to him, for I never heard back!
Tulsa is the closest Tandy 120 miles, by the time I drive down there, I am shot, the back is killing me, so it wouldn't do any good to go because I wouldn't be able to sit up! Maybe someone else will show up, or see our family here and live close and maybe give me a few lessons!
This is sad to say in away, I have done a lot of different things in my life, My most favorite thing to do, was to go down in the Ozarks with my Harley, and find some nice non crowded roads so that you can ride 50mph and look and see, if you have never done that, you have missed a great feeling! But the second most relaxing thing is to play with leather! I guess I will be moving it up to number one, since I will no longer ever be riding again.

(I would like to make a statement to all you young guys on here, don't do like I did and abuse your back!! Because you whole body depends on it)

Better go!
Happy Carving to all!
ACE

[Mogorilla]

Hey Ace, I am 42 and I do watch my back a lot, make sure I always lift correctly etc.  Back is fine, Knees, are the Knees of a 90 year old, motorcylces, football and too much weight took their toll.

[Ace Lungger]

I hate to here Mogorilla , 42 is to young! I am 53, and be down for almost 7 years! It is my own fault, my dad wanted me to go to college! What did I need to do that for
If only I would of listened to him!1 I made sure my did, and he has a good job making big bucks!
Mogorilla try to take it as easy as you can on your knees.
later ACE

[Ace Lungger]

I just got threw watching some carving on the net, and the person mentioned layering And how that is to give it more of a 3D effect? This person mentioned working in the middle of the design, but then when she is explaining it, she had allready beveled the outside of the whole design.
Now that is how I do it, I cut then bevel the outer edge all the way around and then start working from the top down! And i take it that is wrong? To get the layering effect.??
If anyone wants to jump in here, i will be great full!
ACE

[cowboywc]

Howdy Ace
You can ask 100 people and you will get 100 different answers.
Some people believe you should bevel foreground to background. That is kind of a must if you are doing figure carving but not a must if you are doing floral carving.
I most of the time start beveling from one end to the other.
It really doesn't matter as long as you get all the lines beveled on the correct side.
WC

[Ace Lungger]

Thanks WC, 
that was easy!! i think that maybe i should take everything i see on the tube and take it with a grain of salt! Take what i want from it and leave the rest behind!!
Thank you so much!
ACE