Mickey is the second piece I coped with my band saw and boy what a time-saver it is.
You can almost see the little guy in the wood.
It also helps that your band saw is used specifically for wood carving and not those "everyday" projects that get in the way of your hobby.
And so we begin the process...
Paring down the soft basswood is easy but it sometimes makes it look like you're "chewing" the wood off rather than "carving."
Mickey's looking a lot thicker than the photo.
I figure he'd hold up better if I left a "little meat" on his arms and legs. As many wood carvers know, there are many people who feel the need to hold the piece rather than just look at it.
(Note: Please don't take offense by the above statement. Handling a piece that's taken many hours and lots of patience is much like holding a raw egg, there's a certain way to hold it without breaking it.)
Any way, on with our story.
Mickey begins to take shape. However right from the git-go I'm frustrated trying to make Mickey's muzzle and nose.
It looks like he's been "punched" in the nose!
I get to the point where I decide to "go-with-it."
I begin to clean and prep him for paint.
He's buffed, dusted and sealed for paint.
But I'm still miffed by his nose.
Oh well, here goes...
The paint comes out well but I run Mickey by my best critic, my wife.
"Everything is great....... but he has this, big pushed in nose."
That does it.
I prepped for "surgery!"
With surgeon like precision (enhanced for the story), I remove his nose and alter his muzzle.
Ah, soooooo much better!
Add a little clear and voila, here's Mickey!
Ta Da....
Ahhhhhhhh, I feel so much better!
(I'm sure Mickey does as well!)
