Latest Project, Rope, Throw, Brand 'em -Step by Step

[stevebirkes]

In reply to "What are you working on now" I'm currently trying to carve a piece with the working title of " Rope, Throw, and Brand 'em".

I've got a horse making a sliding stop while the roper dismounts. The horse is complete and the roper is nearing completion. Next will come the calf and then a guy with a branding iron.

I'm slow so can't figure a completion date but hope to be done by the first to middle of July.

[Nancy Goff]

Steve -- I'm fascinated by your great work and would really enjoy seeing it in progress.
Could you show us how it looks while you're working on it step-by-step?
That would be such a treat.
I understand it would be extra work for you too, but we would appreciate it.
Many thanks.

[stevebirkes]

Nancy, I thought I replied to you earlier today but don't see it posted. Lord only knows where in space it's floating around at.

I didn't photograph the steps of the carving that got me to where I am now. But I would be happy to start now and document the steps from here on out. I took pictures of where I am at the moment this afternoon.

I'll try to get some posted this evening.
Thanks for your interest.
Steve

[Nancy Goff]

Thank you -- That's great!

[stevebirkes]

OK, I took some pictures this afternoon that will show where I am with the carving now.

After gathering research pictures from magazines, books, and the Internet I began a clay model of the piece. I like doing a clay when I don't understand how all of the elements of the carving are going to fit together.
I do the clay in the exact size I intend to do the carving. Some of the clay will be done in detail and some simply roughed in depending on how much I understand the relationships of the pieces.

These first 4 pictures are of the clay model. The first picture shows stirrups on the saddle. They are cardboard for the model.









More pictures will be posted in the next couple of days to bring the process up to date.
Thanks for looking,
Steve

[stevebirkes]

This installment starts of with the first 2 pictures showing the beginning of the cowboy carving. You can see where carving has already started on his chaps.

The next pictures show a variety of angles of the cowboy and horse together.

If you look carefully at the 4th picture you can see the 1/8 inch dowell pin attaching the cowboy's knee to the horse. This isn't glued in yet but will be done after painting.

Of course you have noticed he is missing hands and a head. The hands are done and will show up attached later. The head I'm working on now. I'll post pictures of the model as I go along with it.

Questions and comments are welcomed.
Nancy, if I should be doing this differently then just let me know.

[hi ho sliver]

Thats going to be a great carving Steve!

[stevebirkes]

Thanks. I'm working on the head now and gathering research for a calf and working cowboys.

We are heading into rodeo season in our area now. I'm wanting to get to a couple with a camera. I'm also searching out places where the locals practice their ridin' and ropin'. Should be able to get some great idea for carvings there watching them work.

[Nancy Goff]

Steve - great photos and great "words".
Thank you so much.
It's so very kind of you to be doing this for your audience

I'm certain that you know a great many more people look here than post anything. Everyone is grateful and I'll bet they are super impressed too. If they're not .... I am enough for everyone !!

I gottsa' say that my idiot computer is acting up again and I might disappear AGAIN just like last week. This rotten thing might have to go to the repair shop again.

[stevebirkes]

Since the ol' boy is missing a head that should probably come next. I start with an armature to hold the clay from falling off. I do the sculpt in as close to actual size as I can. The sculpt will become my master for taking a pattern from.


This is my armature for the head.
1/4 incy pipe with a "T" connection
wraped in mechanics wire.


Working on the basic shape.






Beginning to take shape. I'm after a serious look.
I figure roping cows all day won't leave you in a
smiling mood.




The rope of clay behind the ear is to keep the
ear from laying back against the head too much.


Two eye balls made from 2 pieces of clay formed
and layed side-by-side to make sure they are the same size
before putting into place.



Eye lids taking shape. Yep, one eye
is squinting a bit because the lip snarls
up on that side.



Some ear and eyebrow detail.
I only do a lot of detail on a part that I am a bit
confused about the look of. If I understand
how I am going to carve it I don't bother
with much detail.



That's all for today. Next we will add some hair and a hat.

[Nancy Goff]

Steve -
Bless your kind and GENEROUS heart for sharing such knowledge and talent.
THANK YOU.
Now, please, could you tell me what sort of clay you use? I have no idea.
Lots of your knowledge and talent is far, far beyond me. I need all the help I can get. LOL

[stevebirkes]

[size=18]Steve -
Lots of your knowledge and talent is far, far beyond me. I need all the help I can get. LOL

Yeah, right. I've seen your work on your webpage. You carve, paint and like cats. You've got it all. But Thanks.

The clay I use is called "klean clay" its just a normal oil based kids clay. The kind you can get almost anywhere. The only difference is I get it in 40 lb. boxes.

I do use some others at times and some waxes also depending on what I want to sculpt. The best part about Klean Clay is that it has no sulfur in it which allows silicone molds to be made directly on it. If you want to sculpt something and preserve it with a casting silicone makes the best mold. There are cheaper molding materials but none any better.

You can cast almost anything in a silicone mold where you are somewhat limited to what you can cast in other types of molds. When picking a clay, wax, or any sculpting material it is good to know what you are going to be doing with the sculpt in the end.

[stevebirkes]

So the basic face is there. Now we need to add a bit of hair.


Start of the hair.




You can see a bit of texture added to the hair. Not doing any detail on the hair. If I didn't now how it was going to be carved I would spend some time working with it. Putting in the waves, parts, flips, whatever until I got the look I was after. As it is I'm just going to have it hang down and carved the same way I usually carve hair.

The 5 O'clock shadow is there for fun. Will most likely be on the final carved piece. Painted with a blue wash to show the shadow.


The top of his head has been removed to allow addition of his hat.


Hat, yep.



Next is the fun part.
Experimentation.
I know in the end he is going to be a cowboy with
a cowboy hat. But the urge to play is too great to
pass the opportunity by. Lets see what he looks like playing
a different part.

How 'bout a sock cap for winter?



Add a ball to the cap and put in some texture and we have a down-on-his-luck Santa type. With moustache.


Just a little bit Redneck?


Basic Redneck going hunting. Or me in a winter cap.

Anyhow, once you get the basic sculpt done changing the look for a different character is easy. And fun !

Next will come transfering all of this into a pattern and onto a block of wood. I also have another gloved hand to carve.

[hi ho sliver]

Well Steve...you did it now! Thats about a 1/2 dozen carvings we will be wanting to see ha ha

[stevebirkes]

Well Steve...you did it now! Thats about a 1/2 dozen carvings we will be wanting to see ha ha

Hi Ho, you do one of them and I'll do one. Anyone Else? We can get a dozen versions of the clays displayed here.