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!
