 I like to finish the face first. That way if I mess it up then I haven't wasted a lot of time on the body. |
 Now I start working down the rest of the front. |
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 Now the front is mostley done. |
 There is not as much work in doing the back. |
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 Next the detail work gets done on the hair and beard. |
 A few toothpicks are cut up to make the switches. |
 Note the repair on the thumb. Sometimes super glue gets used for that also. |
 For paint I have always used inexpensive acrylics made by Apple Barrel and FolkArt. They work fine for me. |
 It takes a fine brush and steady hand to paint the eyes. |
 Ever wonder why there is a hole in the bottom of almost all my Santas? |
 They get nailed to a board which I can hold on to while painting. |
 All of my Santas are signed |
 and numbered. |
 Since acrylics are very flat I apply a secret blend of polishes. This gives them a sheen and "ages" them a little. |
 That's all there is to it! |
First I do a rough sketch of my Santa. Then I make a template that will be use to cut out the wood blank from 2 inch thick basswood. This sketch and template are used over and over.
I pencil in on the blank where I am going to cut.
I make what are called "stop cuts" into the wood.
The nose always gets carved first in my method.
I have never had any classes in Santa carving.
I have just developed this technique after years of practice.
This is always a little scary. Thank goodness for super glue.
It takes a fine tip knife to cut around the eyes.