Chris Pye: WOODCARVING - NEWSLETTER - January 2001 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hello Everyone! Feel free to forward this newsletter on to woodcarving friends, or anyone else you think might be interested. This is an opt-in newsletter and you should only be receiving it as a result of requesting it from the website. Subscribe or Unsubscribe is easily done on the home page here: http://www.chrispye-woodcarving.com/index.html or at the end of the newsletter. _______________________________________ ****CONTENTS: 1. New Year Thoughts 2. Slipstones - January 2001 3. Website - Green Man? 4. Quick Carving Questions 5. Website - New 'Inspiration' 6. Lastly: You're pulling my leg! _______________________________________ 1. New Year Thoughts _______________________________________ On the first page of Slipstones I write what I call an 'editorial'. I guess one of the main reasons I do this is that I like to ruminate on the contents of that particular issue, make some observations, and draw out odd points and connections. The editorial is the last thing I write, so it's a bit like taking a deep breath. Well, here is what I wrote for the January issue. I thought it might be fitting to include it here for other woodcarvers too: "I hope that you had a happy time over the festive season and were able to unwrap at least one or two things that will help you carve more, better, or even at all! It's a pleasure to be able to say that, today, woodcarvers have more tools, materials and equipment from which to choose than ever before. I am currently updating my book of a similar name and have been struck by how many new 'things' have appeared in the few short years since it was published; and easily had at that. It is interesting that we still look back to the past, to times of more limited tools and equipment, for the greatest examples of woodcarving - which goes to show that it's the minds of carvers which carries the day, rather than their possession or reliance on tools. Greatness is for the very few, but we all have our own minds; and our new tools can help us achieve whatever our potential is. The crunch is that, to be a woodcarver, you actually have to carve wood. So get those tools dirty! And to those who didn't get any new tools (like me!), remember: it's what you do with them that counts!" So in a New Year, I hope you can make many opportunities to carve in the coming year, enjoy the process, and have many successful woodcarvings to show for your efforts. Thank you all for supporting me - just by signing up to this newsletter - in promoting woodcarving; I really appreciate it. _______________________________________ 2. SLIPSTONES - January 2001 _______________________________________ *** How useful is a router to a woodcarver? Here are lots of reasons to have one... *** Need a transportable toolbox for carrying carving gear to clubs, or on holiday? Here's a great idea from one of our contributors. *** What to do when the end of your tool handle starts to splinter or mush over? Replace it? Or fit an end ferrule? - I'll show you how (and an example of one that's over 20 years old! *** Lots more tips and advice in Slipstones You can find full details of this interactive woodcarving journal which aims to support and further carving at all levels, along with subscription details here: www.chrispye-woodcarving.com/slipstones/slipstones.html Don't forget! *There's a FREE sample edition to download *When you subscribe you receive a FREE copy of '101 Master Woodcarving Secrets' - only available to subscribers. ______________________________________ 3. WEBSITE NOTES - GREEN MAN? ______________________________________ I am thinking about having a section of the website devoted to the 'Green Man'. This is a European image which differs (in my mind) from the 'Wood Spirits' that seem to be popular in the USA. I have carved several versions of the Green Man and I know many other carvers have too. The area could have history, symbology, sources, 'rules', as well as a free gallery for carvers to show their work. I would also include work in other media, stone, clay etc. in another gallery This is just a thought at the moment. I would appreciate any comments, suggestions or feedback! ______________________________________ 4. QUICK CARVING QUESTIONS _______________________________________ **** QUESTION 1 **** "I am inclined towards high relief and in-the-round carvings and like to see a 'tooled' finish. I have produced a tooled background in a relief simply by working an all over pattern with a #3 x 7mm gouge. But can you say more about getting a tooled finish on the main subject? **** ANSWER **** A background isn't much different from any other surface, except other surfaces aren't so often flat; so the approach is very similar. However, on curved surfaces, gouge marks show up more, because the sweep is an opposite curve - so you need to take this in account: turning a flat gouge over for example. A final surface is very much part of the carving and the tool marks should, in my opinion, always contribute to the whole. The base line is that they shouldn't detract - which they can do! Think of it as you would painting and the tool marks like the brush strokes, then you'll get the idea of how they may be used to effect or interfere with what you are trying to say. =================================== **** QUESTION 2 **** I'm a beginner and very nervous about buying carving tools. There are so many tool firms about and I'm not sure what to look for. Advice? **** ANSWER **** 1...We are lucky in having a number of firms in the market that produce excellent tools - although they all have strengths and weaknesses in what they offer: Auriou, Bristol Design, Kirschen, Iles, Pfeil, Stubai, Taylor, just to name a few. Do try different makes before settling for brand loyalty. 2...The majority of tools are bought mail order today, although prior handling is always the best. (Tools 'speak' to you-really!) Get catalogues from all the tool firms or the suppliers as a matter of course. 3...Look for tool reviews in magazines. Ask what other carvers are using-testimonials are useful. 4...This is the most important rule: always select on the basis of need, working from what you have. 5...Check the tools when they arrive. If the tool is not actually what you want - you may have judged from an illustration, or the tool may be flawed - then you should be able to return it. And you should only deal with firms will do this, the bottom line being they give you a credit note against the tool you really want. If the tool is faulty, ask for it to be replaced. The more carvers do this, the better will be quality control. Do this; you will have the tool for the rest of your life, so it must be right. 6...The best advice, after the point above, is to carve! You'll soon get to understand your tools and experience will show you what you need. Any thing in your experience I've missed? =================================== **** QUESTION 3 **** My husband wants to carve English, antique-looking, rocking horses. Where can we find plans, teaching info, and related supplies? **** ANSWER **** Try here: http://www.rockinghorse.co.uk Anthony Dew, whose site this is, has written what must be the definitive book: 'The Rocking Horse Maker' and I think you'll find everything there. =================================== **** QUESTION 4 **** A carver friend of mine and I are in an argument over tools. He says that Pfeil, Stubai, and any shiny tool for that matter are made of cheap cast steel. I say he's wrong. I think, as your book states, that some manufacturers polish the "black" off their tools. Can you settle this argument? **** ANSWER **** Whether a tool is black and oily, or whether polished does not affect the steel or its tempered properties. Shiny tools are indeed polished - all tools arise blackened from the oil quenching process. I always recommend cleaning off most of the black oily finish with fine abrasive paper and paraffin (kerosene) when you first get such a tool polishing has some advantage: keeping your hands clean. If you don't cut the black back it will get on your hands and carving until the tool is worn in. So polishing has some advantage. Mostly it's a matter of cosmetics, manufacturer's image of their tools. ______________________________________ 5. WEBSITE - NEW 'INSPIRATION' ______________________________________ He was an itinerant Buddhist monk who, according to legend, made a youthful vow to carve 120,000 images... He left thousands of swiftly executed, energetic carvings in obscure villages, remote hillsides and roadside shrines... Untrained, compassionate, at one with his wood and his tools, his work shines with an immediacy, intensity and humanity that is without compare. Who is he? Enku (1632-95) And here is his Kojin - God of the Kitchen Fire http://www.chrispye-woodcarving.com/gallery/g_inspiration.html ______________________________________ 6. LASTLY: YOU'RE PULLING MY LEG! ______________________________________ From The Times Newspaper: Friday, 22 Dec 00: "A woman who died in Egypt about 3000 years ago had an artificial big toe made of wood, the oldest example of a functioning limb prosthesis. "German researchers, reporting in The Lancet [a British Medical Journal], said the toe was painted dark brown and had three parts attached by leather strings." ______________________________________ That's it. Success and joy in your carving! Chris