Main Discussion Area > HowTo's and Build-a-longs

Five Minute Carved Christmas Ornament Carve Along

<< < (2/3) > >>

madcrow:
Now, where the eyese will be, make a tiny shallow stop cut on each side of the nose maybe 1/16" deep and and eighth of an inch long.  Then make a shallow stop cut from the inside corner of the eye to the outside corner of the nose.



Now hold the knife parralell with the back of the carving and cut straight up into the eye.

madcrow:
Next make a stop cut at the top of the band for the hat and cut from the top, down to the stop cut.  Also make a stop cut starting from the side of the nose, down along where the mustache will be.



This ornament is quick and easy and will be covered with paint, so you really don't have to spend lots of time with tiny details.  Start shaping the nose just a bit and shave the sharp hump off where the mustache will start.  While you are at it, use a pencil to drawn in the mustache and make stop cuts all the way around it.

madcrow:
I make small cuts around the mustache into the stop cut to bring out the mustache a little so the face doesn't look flat.  I also shave off the sharp edges around the cheeks.



Now its time to shape the hat and the beard, really just whittling the down some.  I use a V-tool to cut in the hair on the beard, but a regular knife or an exacto knife will work.  Make long wavy stop cuts, then cut into them with the knife.

madcrow:
Just use your imagination and make the hats and beards different shapes and sizes.  I went to wal-china and bought some cheap craft paint to finish them off.  With a little creativity, you can turn your santa into an elf or a hillbilly.  My wife hates those.



Tomorrow I will make and install some of the wire loops to put ribbon on for hanging on the tree.

JW_Halverson:
I once severed the tendon that straightens out my left thumb.  Got lucky with that one healing on it's own. 

I bet it took you longer to take the photos than it would have to carve the jolly old elf!  Thanks for the description and the detailed photos.  I might have to try my hand at this one, I think I have some cottonwood bark lying around somewhere here....

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page