Post #330919 by JohnnyP on Fri, Sep 7, 2007 7:20 AM

As a relative newcomer, and one of the younger generation, and one who has recently embarked on this carving thing, I will humbly add to this thread.

If you haven't started carving yet and you are interested, just start. Grab a piece of wood and whatever carving tool you have around and get to it. You will be amazed what you can accomplish with some cheap tools and a bit of patience. Add good tools as you grow and the bill will be a lot easier to swallow as good tools are not cheap. Some of the purists might argue, but a $3 chisel from Walmart will remove more wood than a $35 gouge from Stubi that you won't purchase because it is too expensive.

I went a totally different route starting to carve than most do. I went backwards. Most start with a knife or some chisels and move up. My first carving "tool" was a chainsaw with a 20inch bar, not exactly the best thing to use but with that I was able to hack out some interesting things. Then I bought some cheap chisels to see if I liked them then progressed into the higher quality tools. You won't appreciate a good tool unless you've tried one that isn't. I used a 20inch bar to carve this. It is about 3.5 inches in diameter. I wouldn't choose that saw to do the same carving again.

Some above have mentioned attempting to carve something that you think is above your ability and they speak wisdom. You won't learn unless you push yourself. After I do this I look back at my earlier items and say "now that I've done this, I could have done that better" It is amazing what you learn along the way.

Like others I have a huge inventory of downloaded pictures from the web, TC, and tons of books on Oceanic Art. These are very valuable. To get started these are a few of tops, contact me for more: The Book of Tiki (a must)- -- Arts of the South Seas by Ralph Linton ( I feel this book has some of the best examples and highest quality artifacts)---- and Oceanic Art by Meyer.

To learn there is nothing better than trying to copy something exactly. Trying to figure out how they did it can really help you. As you carve, study the reference and go slow and think out the cuts before you wildly chop away. I learned a tremendous amount this way. But, when you make a mistake, all is not lost, just figure out a way to disguise it (was I not supposed to reveal this secret?) As you learn get away from direct copies and use your reference as a base and add your own thing. Your own style will show through your carvings-for example look at Benzart and Congatiki's, both are very recognizable styles.

I've poured over the threads of the super "old guys" BK, Gecko, Lake Surfer, Benzart , etc (many, many others) for inspiration and learned a lot. I also criticize my own work against theirs and that kept me pushing long past the point where I would have normally stopped. As a consequence I learned and my own standards improved (I still have a long long way to go)

Remember, every carving seems to go through a stage that looks like it is not going where you want it to go, just keep working on it and it will eventually "pop" and you will be back on track. Don't give up--For a really good example of this check out Tikifreak1's thread--he ended up with a really nice tiki in the end.

I learned most of what I know the hard way, I hadn't seen anybody carve anything until Coontiki II just recently. I have tossed more than my share of carvings into the fire place. Experience is a good teacher.

I've asked questions from several carvers here and received very good advice. Gman has generously offered his time, take him up on it, he is very good and can help a lot. If you have questions please feel free to PM, I'll try to offer up what little I do know. I can certainly tell you a lot of ways not to do something.

By the way, how do I get Tama's book?

My $.02

• JP

[ Edited by: JohnnyP 2007-09-07 07:23 ]

[ Edited by: JohnnyP 2007-09-07 07:28 ]