Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2012 8:23:57 GMT -5
I am working every day on the carving but progress has slowed to a snails pace because I am getting the rough down to possible disaster if I go to fast and break off a piece of stone that can not be replaced. Also, I have to be very careful now that my tool handle is not gouging a near by portion of the carving such as the arm. (a bad habit of mine)
I left all of my specialty tools in China because I planned to go back. I ended up not going back so now I am spending a lot of time making special tools to accomplish some of the detail work. I will add pics of those tool in a later post because it just dawned on me that ya'll might be interested in seeing them. Nothing fancy but very helpfull. I can not emphasize enough how important it is to keep your tools very sharp. If you do not know how to sharpen tools it is best to get someone to teach you. A dull tool can break off a chunk instead of shaving the stone down.
Since the last post I cleaned up the sides of the cave and worked the back ground down to as flat as possible. I also gave it a good wash so things would show up better.
I have been working mostly on the tail and tunneling under the arm which is not visible. I have also cleaned up some other areas just so I do not get bored with working on one spot.
I am afraid to start on the face. It is stressing me and this kind of thing is supposed to relax you not stress you. She has such a beautiful face in the picture and I fear that my carving is not going to even come close. I have even thought about giving her a monkey face so I do not have to worry about it. lol
Thanks for your interest and I hope you enjoy my work.
Jim
I left all of my specialty tools in China because I planned to go back. I ended up not going back so now I am spending a lot of time making special tools to accomplish some of the detail work. I will add pics of those tool in a later post because it just dawned on me that ya'll might be interested in seeing them. Nothing fancy but very helpfull. I can not emphasize enough how important it is to keep your tools very sharp. If you do not know how to sharpen tools it is best to get someone to teach you. A dull tool can break off a chunk instead of shaving the stone down.
Since the last post I cleaned up the sides of the cave and worked the back ground down to as flat as possible. I also gave it a good wash so things would show up better.
I have been working mostly on the tail and tunneling under the arm which is not visible. I have also cleaned up some other areas just so I do not get bored with working on one spot.
I am afraid to start on the face. It is stressing me and this kind of thing is supposed to relax you not stress you. She has such a beautiful face in the picture and I fear that my carving is not going to even come close. I have even thought about giving her a monkey face so I do not have to worry about it. lol
Thanks for your interest and I hope you enjoy my work.
Jim
Looks beautiful and it's awesome watching your progression! 
