Appropriate Carving on a Kibler Colonial? UPDATE: Finished Pics

[Coal-Cracker]

I'm appealing to the professionals to see if I'm going in the right direction...
I finished most of the carving/molding lines, so I started laying out the carving design for the cheekpiece and the tang. It should be recognizable as a stylization of an Issac Haines design - but in it's current form, is it TOO stylized? Does it look "cartoonish?"
I'm prone to analysis paralysis.

Thank you for your time and I appreciate your patience.

[rich pierce]

I think it’s best to approach it with blinders regarding whether it matches Isaac Haines’ work. Instead, ask if it’s a well-drawn sophisticated pattern that is pleasing and whether the tang carving and cheekpiece carving fit together.

It’s a “yes” from me.

[davebozell]

You’re drawing looks great!  If you can carve like you draw, you’ll have a great looking rifle.  Great carving requires great drawing.

[Jim Kibler]

I think the general theme has some merit, but there is room for improvement in the shape and flow of leaves and elements.  It seems I should elaborate, but it's so hard to do without re-drawing things.  Just try to look at things with a discerning eye and not be overwhelmed by everything at once.

Perhaps, slightly simpler forms of leaves, fold-overs etc. might help.  Keep going, it's not easy and there's lots of potential!

Jim

[J. Talbert]

Well I’m no professional, but I agree with Jim’s statement as it pertains to the cheek piece carving.

“Perhaps, slightly simpler forms of leaves, fold-overs etc. might help.  Keep going, it's not easy and there's lots of potential!”

But if I may be so bold, I’d start over on the tang carving.   To me it seems too chaotic and so many small details detract from the flow of the design.  IMHO.

Kudos on your drawing skills.  Good luck,
Jeff

[Coal-Cracker]

Thanks for the input. I value and truly appreciate the guidance.
I suspected it needed more work - which is why I deferred to the experience of the forum.
I guess I have some work to do.

[Stoner creek]

Just observing your pencil work, you obviously have a good eye. With really sharp tools you’ll have a blast carving this piece. I’m envious of your skills.
W

[t.caster]

If you can carve as well as you draw, my hats off to you! I wouldn't expect a beginner to pull off this much detail.
....and the branch layout behind the breech is a bit heavy.
Good luck and please post progress and results!

[flinchrocket]

Something to consider is looking at original work that is similar to yours. Studying original carving on old rifles will show you what you want your carving to look like.

[Coal-Cracker]

Had some free time, so I whipped up a couple revisions.
I took everyone's posts and critiques under advisement. I'm hoping I understood what everyone meant. Again, thank you!

I revisited the acanthus leaves, not realizing how far I strayed with my initial drawings. Hopefully I stayed true to the spirit of the period carving, while adding my own touch.

The first drawing will be on the tang, and then repeated on the forestock and patchbox lid.
The second drawing is the cheekpiece.
Please, let me know if I'm moving in the right direction?

[rich pierce]

I’m no artist. If you can carve what you’ve drawn, it’s going to be a very pleasing carving on a longrifle.

[Coal-Cracker]

I’m no artist. If you can carve what you’ve drawn, it’s going to be a very pleasing carving on a longrifle.

"IF" can be a VERY BIG word. I expect some of the detail wont translate too easily to carving. I went a bit too far in that regard with my drawings. Sometimes I cant help myself; I'm having fun.

And I've admired your work here for years - you most certainly are an artist.

[kutter]

On the drawing for the butt stock carving, the bottom C scroll has it's outside edge flattened somewhat.
Bring that line out and round it more to make the 'flat' disappear.
Then the small scroll that emits from it going upwards and to the left should be started out with a smoother line/arc and can turn downward more and end underneath the incised scroll line of the upper C scroll.

Keep the ends of all of the scrolls rounder and avoid the small flat 'start and stop' look to the curls.
Run the beginnings of the small leaf and other accent scrolls off of the main scroll lines in a smoother tangent arc so they blend perfectly as if to disappear if continued into the main scroll.

[Coal-Cracker]

On the drawing for the butt stock carving, the bottom C scroll has it's outside edge flattened somewhat.
Bring that line out and round it more to make the 'flat' disappear.
Then the small scroll that emits from it going upwards and to the left should be started out with ....

Thank you so much!! I truly appreciate the time it took for you (as well as everyone else) to explain the issues.
This is what I need to move forward. Its funny how its so difficult to see the deficiencies in your own work/drawings. It takes a second (or third, or fourth...) set of eyes for me to really see what is going wrong. This shouldn't surprise me, but it always does. I guess there was benefit to those painful classroom critiques all those years ago in art school.   Again, Thank You!!

[Craig Wilcox]

I'm with Rich and Wayne (Stoner) - if you can cut those lines, it will be a stunning piece!

[Coal-Cracker]

I had some time over the Christmas Holiday to start on some carving. Since this is only my second attempt at wood carving, I figured I could do the least amount of damage on the patchbox. 
It took a while, but I figure I'm in no hurry, so no need to rush things. I see now in the photo it still needs some 'cleaning-up.' If anyone wants to throw out some more pointers, I'm always appreciative.
Thank you, in advance.

[bnewberry]

Looks good to my uneducated eye!

[P.Bigham]

The leaf towards the nose of the Patchbox that flows backwards. Doesn't flow well with the rest of the design.  All the design except that flows towards the nose.  It takes my eye back off the Patchbox.  My opion. From the peanut gallery

[Gaeckle]

The leaf towards the nose of the Patchbox that flows backwards. Doesn't flow well with the rest of the design.  All the design except that flows towards the nose.  It takes my eye back off the Patchbox.  My opion. From the peanut gallery

I agree

[Coal-Cracker]

The leaf towards the nose of the Patchbox that flows backwards. Doesn't flow well with the rest of the design.  All the design except that flows towards the nose.  It takes my eye back off the Patchbox.  My opion. From the peanut gallery

I agree

I wish you guys were around weeks ago when I needed help with the design and layout. Haha!

Nevertheless, I appreciate your help. Its how I get better.

[Coal-Cracker]

Some carving updates.
This is only my second time doing wood carving, so its taking me a while to learn/refine the technique. Experimentation and apprehension makes me slow and tedius. Furthermore, I see a lot of mistakes, but I'm really enjoying the process, and learning is occurring. 😀





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[rich pierce]

You’re doing well executing your own style.

[TDM]

I think it looks great. Very nice work. It’s your rifle and your vision.

[Rawhide Rick]

Very well done, but I can’t help seeing a crescent moon in the shape of one leaf.  Is that intentional?

[Coal-Cracker]

Very well done, but I can’t help seeing a crescent moon in the shape of one leaf.  Is that intentional?

Well that depends...
If seeing a cresent moon is a bad thing, then it was an accident. If its a good thing, then 'yes', it's totally deliberate.

Actually, taking the advice of previous posters, I revisited my initial leaf drawings. I mostly referenced the Manual of Traditional Wood Carving for the acanthus leaves in the drawings/carvings I did.

Some of you guys make carving look so easy. Someday...