A little carving

[Chris Di Nola]

Hi Guys

Here are a few pics of a privet that i finally finished the carving on.

share with me your thoughts.

Cheers
Skip

Before final carving.JPG

Looking better.JPG

close up1.JPG

close up 2.JPG

[aaron_tas]

very nice carving skip

how long did that take

[stymie]

It's crossed legs mesmerise me. I haven't come across anything remotely like them.
BTW I like it.

[Steven]

A great improvement Skip! How long do you find the carved wood on Privet lasts?

I've got about 10 advanced Buxus ready for a serious carving session... when are you free?

Steven

[Chris Di Nola]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the nice comments.

Aaron it took about 2 - 3 Hours all up.

Steve, as long as the carved areas are kept mostly dry (above the soil line) it should last for quite some time.
As for the Buxus, Sunday afternoons, 1-4pm are good, just give me a day or 2 notice.

Cheers
Skip

[Leigh Taafe]

G'day Skip,

Is it okay if I say I don't like it?

I think it looks a little artificial. The whiteness gives the carvings an appearance of plaster.
The carvings are great, it's just the whiteness.

Is there some way you could tone down the plaster appearance. Maybe darken it up with some ash mixed with the lime sulphur, or even liquid boot polish?

Just my opinion, no malice intended.

Cheers,
Leigh.

[Pup]

Hi guys I am with Leigh it does stick out like the proverbial dogs.
What I use to tone it down a bit, I gleaned from John Naka's books Sumi ink you can get it at art supplies. You only need a minute amount, unless you are going for the burnt look.
You can also use India ink again art supplies. Pup

[Chris Di Nola]

Hi All

Leigh, you need to remember that I am a plasterer but you & pup are correct I need to pull my finger out & get myself something to darken it up a bit.

Thanks for being honest, if people are to sensitive about feed back on there trees, Dont post them.

Cheers
Skip

[stymie]

A decorative way to tone the white down and at the same time create detail interest, is to first cover the green parts to protect them and then use a blow torch on the area. Slow passes with the flame until a little toasting is observed is enough. If unfortunately, you get it too charred, the wire brush will graduate it successfully. Just my way. =Don.

[Grant Bowie]

Hi All

Leigh, you need to remember that I am a plasterer but you & pup are correct I need to pull my finger out & get myself something to darken it up a bit.

Thanks for being honest, if people are to sensitive about feed back on there trees, Dont post them.

Cheers
Skip

I can corroborate what Skip says. He is a plasterer and I have seen him plastered many times.

Looking forward to Brisbane.

[Pup]

Hey Grant, I never met your sense of humor before where were you keeping her.
Under your beard Pup

[Leigh Taafe]

Funny Buggers!

[Grant Bowie]

As we all know; "Bonsai is not a matter of life or death! It's more important than that!"

And if we don't have a good laugh at ourselves every so often you go crazy.

As you know Skip is one of the most entertaining and self-depracating(look it up) demonstrators around and keeps the audience laughing all night.

But he sure knows his stuff.

Skip, I take cash, visa or even a cheque.

Grant

[Chris Di Nola]

Drinks are on me at Brisbane Grant & anyone else that likes platering.

Thanks for the comments mate.

Cheers
Skip

[Asus101]

Funny Buggers!

*Shakes head and mutters about the damned old people......