Woodworker's Journal 1993-17-6, страница 42

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Photo 20

Photo 22

pointed brush, like a no. 2 synthetic sable, for this step. 1 recommend buying good quality brushes from an art supply store. A good brush gives you much better control in applying the paint, and will last for years if it is cleaned carefully and completely after each use. It is especially important to wash all the acrylic paint out of a brush before it dries, to keep the brush soft and flexible.

Photo 24

Acrylic paint also dries quickly and can be over-painted with oil paints. Remember, however, that you shouldn't try to put acrylic paint over oil paint. The oils in the paint will prevent the water-based acrylic from adhering.

For Santa's red suit use cadmium red medium oil paint, thinned with turpen tine or paint thinner, lo form a transparent stain. Use the small pointed brush for the small areas and a larger flat sy nthelic sable like a no. 4 for the larger areas (Photo 24). Use ivory black oil paint thinned to a transparent stain for the boots. I like oil paints for this step because ihey are more transparent and allow the wood grain to show through. This adds a special warmth to the carving and enhances its handmade appeal.

This Traditional American Santa Claus will be a fine addition to your collection of historic St. Nicholas earv ings. It also makes a wonderful Christmas gift. j£3i

Editor's Note: Our November/ December issues in 1989 and 1991 also included St. Nicholas carving projects by Rick and Ellen Biitz.

7f> Tin.' Woodworker's Journal

the pencil grip. Then pare awav the excess wood below it.

After the face is carved, you are ready for the finishing details. Use a small V-gouge. like a 3mm no. 12. to lexture ihe beard and mustache. Make a series of slightly wavy cuts about Vi in. long to suggest a soft, curly beard (Photo 23).

Next, use the 8mm no. 14 gouge to texlure ihe cuffs of the sleeves and the fur trim of ihe jacket and hat, I use the larger gouge for the trim because it makes a slightly w ider cul. and makes

Photo 23

ihe fur texture look softer and fluffier.

For a final detail, incise a line with the 3mm no. 12 V-gouge around the boot to form a sole.

The traditional costume of the American Santa Claus is a red suit with white fur trim and black boots. Begin by painting the beard and fur white with titanium white acrylic paint, I use acrylic for this step because it is more opaque than white oil paint and covers the wood beller. Use a small

Next, remove a paper-thin shav ing of wood above and below the eye. leaving it slightly raised (Photo 20). It is especially important that your knife be razor sharp right to the tip for these cuts.

Photo 21

^ "I To create the pupil of Santa's X eye. use the very point of your knife to remove a tiny three-sided chip front the lower eyelid. Make three small cuts angled in so they meei at the bottom, and remove a clean chip (Photo 21).

^ ^ On this Santa Claus. I like to mhhd curl the ends of the mustache up to give him a happy expression. Once again, hold ihe knife in a pencil grip and incise a very shallow ('/'2 in. deep) line along ihe boitom edge of the mustache. Then pare away a thin shaving leaving the mustache raised (Photo 22). This is the same technique used for making the eyelids.

Use the same technique to create Santa's mouth. Incise a line lor the lower edge of ihe mouth, holding the knife in