The Black Stallion

"The Black Stallion" is my first attempt at carving a (complete) horse. The photo I used had the horse standing in tall hay-like grass. As with all my carvings I start out with a photo and draw the image on one side and the front of the block of wood. This time I tried to make a template by chalking the side of the block of wood and  tracing with a stylus. Here's how "The Black" began...

 

Tracing worked but I didn't need all the chalk dust.

 

After cleaning all the chalk dust the piece is ready for trimming.

 

The side view was coped out first on the band saw.

 

Below, you see the left and right sides removed. (You'll also notice the blue chalk tinted the wood.)

 

Next we begin to remove the "bulk" of the wood from around the horse.

 

"The Black" is made of Tupelo wood and measures 4 1/2" from the base to the tip of his ears and 5" from the tip of his tail to his nose. His legs are much thinner than I'd care to carve them. I left them on the thicker side. You'll also notice that his hoofs are set into the "grass" so each leg he's standing on will "appear" sunken into the grass.

 

The fun part of each carving is when I can begin to "smooth" the piece out and add subtle details.

 

 

 

"The Black" is ready for paint and mounting.

 

Above, he's glued and clamped onto his base.

 

Below, "The Black" is given a protective coating of semi-gloss clear and all that's left is to give him to his new owner. (Who just so happens to be the person I gave "The Horse's ...." to!)

 

 

 

 

 

The horse is a noble animal. I hope this carving lives up to the Black Stallion's image and glorious history.

 

“The Black was looking out on the open sea; his ears pricked forward, his thin-skinned nostrils quivering, his black mane flowing like windswept flame. Alec could not turn his eyes away; he could not believe such a perfect creature existed.”
― Walter Farley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Studious Stitch"

Finally! I just finished my second "Stitch" for a friend. Actually, this guy is the "second" second stitch. You see I had to scrap the first piece because I cut too much wood too fast! Lesson learned!

"Studious Stitch" started out like all pieces, on the band saw. He's made of basswood, is 3" by 5" by 3" and is resting on a 5" by 7" base. I'm a "power carver" and use a Mastercarver flex-shaft tool for 99.9% of all my carvings. Once in a while I need to clean edges and use an Exacto knife.

 

 

 

"Stitch" will be on his stomach relaxing on the ground reading a book.

 

 

"Stitch's" big ears did me in on the first attempt. I made sure to leave plenty of wood this time around.

 

 

At last, I can refine his features.

 

 

 

Give him his book!

 

Add some color and put the pieces together....

 

 

 

 

It's always a great feeling when you finish a piece... especially after the second try!