[Woodcarver] need help for class

[Loren Woodard]

Old Joe and Alex:

I thank your advice to Alex is right on.  I always tell my students to carve
what interests them the most.  That way they don't get tired of it and
think, is this all there is to carving?  Simple faces like the one you
depict are not that difficult.  I think with some guidance from Alex, she
would do well with these.  In addition, Alex does a good human carving so he
could pass along some good pointers as they carve.  

My first carving ever was an Indian bust done with a fellow carver, Ed
Carpenter.  I was especially proud of that carving even though I know I
could not have completed it without Ed's help.  For my money, if she wants
to do faces that is what I would do with her. 

Loren Woodard

My carvings can be seen at http://www.woodcarvers-gallery.com 




-----Original Message-----
From: woodcarver-bounces at six.pairlist.net
[mailto:woodcarver-bounces at six.pairlist.net] On Behalf Of OLD JOE
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 1:29 PM
To: [Woodcarver]
Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] need help for class


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Alex, the problems with this sort of carving class with a beginner can be 
time constraint and over-kill. It is easy to throw out a lot more stuff than

she can not retain or apply to her carving.

Since she expresses a desire to learn face carving, that's a suggested 
starting project like:

http://www.oldjoe.org/KeyChainSpirit.html

You can stress and teach safety, carving techniques and sharpening as the 
carving progresses. This gives each issue proper perspective as she learns.

Remember to have her relax frequently and perform the hands hanging down, 
shake your fingers and hands exercises.

Beginners like to have finished projects early into the carving experience, 
and their friends or family all enjoy the simple carving gifts, which gives 
them confidence.

You can easily progress from the simple little face projects to larger bark 
faces. It seems to speed up their learning if you have several bark planks 
peeled and ready to carve. My preference is to have step one, step, two, 
etc. demo carvings prepared for them to study and follow.

See additional beginner projects at:

http://www.oldjoe.org/BeginnerProjects.html

I like to have a few of the blanks for these beginner projects and a 
finished sample for a new carver to take home so it is easy for them to 
continue on their own.

Good luck, and congratulations on the class.  Old Joe

Old Joe (Joe Brott), Plattsmouth, NE USA
www.oldjoe.org
for Len Dillon basswood roughouts and basswood turnings, click: 
www.diamondd.org 


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