Creative Woodworks & crafts 1998-03, страница 44

burro is a favorite subject of whittlers. Its features are open to exaggeration, which is a main ingredient of caricature carving.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1. Trace the pattern, found in Full Size Pattern Section No. 2. onto the basswood stock. Position the pattern so that the grain parallels the line of the legs. This will help keep the legs and the ears from breaking off as you carve them. Remember, an element that goes with the grain is strong; one that goes crossgrain is weak (see Drawing No. 1).

Step 2. Saw out the pattern, then draw a center line around the width of the carving. Next, draw the guidelines for the legs, tail, ears, and mane (see Fig. 1). Step 3. Drill a 1/4" hole between the tail and the body. Leave the end of the tail attached to the body for strength while whittling.

Step 4. Cut between the ears using the coping saw. Also cut between the legs as deep as you can without cutting into the tail {see Fig. 2). Step 5. With the knife, make a stop cut in front of the right ear and behind the left ear to separate the two. Slice away the excess wood in front of the right ear and behind the left (see Fig. 3).

Step 6. Make a series of shallow slicing cuts to remove the wood between the tail and the body (see Fig. 4). Some carvers support the carving against the bench on these cuts in order to keep their hand out from under the carving. Whether you hold the carving in your hand or not, it is important to avoid forcing the knife. It is not only dangerous—forcing the knife can split the wood— but it is hard on the tool edge as well. Because carving tools are made of high carbon steel, they should never be twisted or pried.

Step 7. Make stop cuts separating the upper legs from ttie belly (see Fig. 5). Round the belly into those stop

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by Ivan WhiHock

SUPPLIES

Wood; basswood-1-1/2" x 4-1/2" x 3-1/2" Carving tools: carving knife; veiner (optional) Tools: scroll saw; coping saw; drill with a 1/4" Temporary-bond spray adhesive Black marker Brown shoe polish

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cuts and narrow the shoulders above the front legs. Next, narrow the neck below the shoulder level and shape the head, leaving the cheeks higher than the rest of the head. Carve away some wood between the legs to thin and shape them.

Step 8. Make a stop cut to indicate the hooves and trim some wood away for the hoof shape. Make a cut 1o indicate the insides of the ears, then shape the nostrils and make a V cut to create the mouth. Use your imagination on the features. For example, you may want to make the mouth crooked or the nostrils extra large. Step 9. Use the veiner to carve the stubble of the mane and the tuft of hair at the tail. If you are carving with a knife only, make V cuts with the tip of the blade to show these features.

Step 10. Separate the tail from the body now that the body carving is completed (see Fig. 6). Step 11. Before drawing in the eyes, make identical concave cuts on either side of the face where the eyes will be located. Leave a high edge at the brow ridge and then gradually rotate the knife so that you make a concave cut between the brow and the nose (see Drawing No. 2).

Step 12. When you draw in the eyes, check their placement from several angles so that you get them where you want them. Use the tip of the knife to make a stop cut around the outside of each eye. Next, round the eyes into that stop cut. Make the tear duct point toward the nose. Use a veiner cut to indicate a "bag" under the eyes. Play around with various eye shapes and expressions, from half-closed to wide open. If you like, use a black marker to indicate the pupil. Step 13. Brown wax shoe polish makes a quick finish for small carvings of this sort. Apply it with a brush or a cloth. Buff it to bring out the highlights and to emphasize the knife cuts, which should be clean and bold, to give your burro a definite whittled look.

44 Creative Woodworks & Crafts