"Swoop"

If you're a Philadelphia Eagles fan you'll know who "Swoop" is. This piece is for a die-hard Eagles fan. First we start out with a 4"x4"x12" piece of basswood.

Sketch out the image...

 

 ...and begin coping.

 

 (Below) Notice the diagonal burr marks that run from left down to the right on the head?

On three occasions the roughing burr that I was using dug into the piece pulling it out of my hand and the burr came in contact with my hand.

The First time, it simply let me know I had to hold on tighter to the wood!

The Second time, it was telling me I wasn't holding on as tight as I should!

The third time it meant business! Through the nail! That's when I said I think I'll stop for the night!

 

 

Of course, as you begin to carve the piece you loose your guidelines.

 I'm continuously adding guidelines as I cut deeper into the piece.

At some point you can begin to "see" the piece and the fun of bringing out the details can begin.

 You can see the texture left by the burrs.

 As you get to the point where the details require more attention the need for patience begins.

 

 Burrs tends to "fluff up" basswood. That means that the "smoothing" stage will be most important. 

 Even after the "smoothing" stage you never seem to have done enough of it.

 After sealing (above), the piece is painted.

 

After this piece I ran out and got some gloves with leather finger tips!

 

"Rudy"

"Rudy" is a "Yorkie" owned by a fellow Cast Member. "Rudy" is getting up in age and has had his share of "bumps and bruises" as his owner, Teri says. "Rudy" is a part of the family and will always be a special part of Teri and her family's lives. I hope this carving will act as a reminder of "Rudy's" love, loyalty and companionship for years to come.

 First, the rough sketch.

 

Then, some time on the band saw to save time.

 

The fun begins! Trying to leave all the "hair" on the piece that "sticks" out.

 

 "Rudy" is carved out of basswood.

As "Rudy" begins to shape up, I notice I've made his nose too short. I used two photos of "Rudy" taken from Teri's desk. I also used "Lilly's photos (our own Yorkie) to help me with side and rear views.

"Rudy" is sealed for painting.

"Rudy" taught me more than a few lessons. First, to leave more wood in areas to create longer hair. Second, I've got a lot to learn about mixing and applying color!

 



 The name "Rudy" was my Wife Pat's idea. The name was added last. It was carved out, pegged and glued to the base.

 

I like to add screws and glue to the piece to hold it to the base.

 

"Rudy" and other caricatures with lengthy hair tend to be quite frustrating for this carver. "Rudy" sat idle on my carving bench more than a few days as I wrestled with many of my frustrations of carving too much off here or there as well as trying to get his color acceptable.

In all, I'm pleased with the end results... thanks to lots of suggestions and approval from my wife!

 

The real "Rudy!"

 

I'd like to think I made "Rudy" look younger!