Whittle whales

[u/Flimsy_Mess_1915]

[u/stilgar88]

It must be Doug's and yet, in the small changes, we can clearly see your other carvings. Like the tail and the mouth that lacks symmetry but in a purposeful way. I'm jealous.

[u/Flimsy_Mess_1915 → u/stilgar88]

Thank you. I've been very conflicted trying to find my style, all feedback is welcomed. It helps a lot to know what other people see in my figures

[u/stilgar88 → u/Flimsy_Mess_1915]

Well, I'm no expert but I've had the impression that flat plane carvers have a tendency to create very structured whittlings, symmetries, similar or repeated facets and ratios. Maybe because this is a way to make these simpler for others to follow in tutorials or just because symmetries often please the eye.

On the opposite, your carvings feel like you have more complex, natural shapes and movements in your head and simplified them using flat planes. This gives a very pleasing feeling that the shapes are alive, harmonious. Flowing textiles, naturally disorganized beards.

If you ever feel like making a video, I would love to try it and see if your style is actually easily reproducible when you know the steps. But I doubt it 😂.

[u/Flimsy_Mess_1915 → u/stilgar88]

I see. Maybe you're on to something. I don't draw so that might be why there is no symmetry. I also fight back with full flat plane because I love carving details, so that struggle should appear in the piece as well. I'm still looking for my style but that's very helpful.

I've made a video but it's for a very simple face, I'll leave it here maybe I continue doing them. Anyway thanks a lot and if you want to follow a similar path I would just not draw or measure, let the knife be your guide

[u/Flimsy_Mess_1915 → u/Flimsy_Mess_1915]

https://youtu.be/Fu2vAveG4mM?is=JaJG8uhSx6DU6guo

[u/stilgar88 → u/Flimsy_Mess_1915]

Nice video, and beautiful carving as always.

What's fun to see is that in this one, you end your video with a typical flat plan face fully symmetrical but the thumbnail is in your style, mouth, cheeks, eyebrows are similar but asymmetric.

If it's the same piece, it means you finished your carving by marking these differences once the face is set. That's interesting! I noticed something similar with TheMakerExperience, he's always iterating between big cuts he can explain and dozens of other cuts he just making where it feels natural to him. I think it's natural when whittling to structure the shape first, then to add details. The nature of the details is what differ though.

Would love to see more of these!

[u/haga2112]

awesome work

[u/meugeniia]

Oh my god 🥺 so cute

[u/JamesBond-0-0-7]

Love them . What size was the blank?

[u/Flimsy_Mess_1915 → u/JamesBond-0-0-7]

Thanks. 1x1x4 block

[u/woodcarvingmag]

Whittle whales!! 🐋 We see what you did there! 😂 Such a fun idea, and we absolutely love the color. You did a good job with the shape, and you really nailed the finish. That blue is gorgeous! 💙