Round tew on the big Yew

This is the second attempt at carving this beast. There were several areas I didn't like. Straight sections and old cut roots. I'm doing a bit each day as its very big. 18" (480mm) wide.

Taken from the right side, there are many cut roots that need refining

This tree was originally collected from a forest and was over 20 feet tall. It was cut down to 2 feet and a hollow was made with a chainsaw before more refined carving was carried out

Although on the right side of the tree, this is the carving I am happy with. I want to replicate this around the tree

Time to open up the deadwood some more. This was done with the more slimline Makita 906. Wish they still produced it as it is much lighter.

Roughing out with some big carving bits before more refined work can be carried out. Straight sections on the external deadwood were given movement too.

Starting to take shape now but I'll be working this tree for a few days. The walls with new movement were then thinned.

The tree was lightly burned with a gas torch to remove small fluffy stuff and age the wood with cracking. I will burn the inside some more to remove hard to reach tool marks

Upper section will need more work tomorrow but its starting to take shape. A light grain was applied but will be refined with a scalpel. You can see how the face of the wood was carved to add twists and movement.

I was hoping to be at it again tomorrow but I have been called in to work as cover. Hopefully wednesday I will add some more.

nice work with a makita:) I'll have to show my yew when I'm finished hand-carving it

Beautiful carving Will. Can't tell where you started or ended....the ultimate result one should be trying to accomplish. Nice job !


Ed

It looks very nice Will, can you show ua the picture of the whole tree?

Xuan

great progression...thanks for sharing!!

Thanks Will!

I felt that this was a personal message for me! (though its not) Because this is what I need to carve the base of my pomegranate and other trees. Good thing I didn't do much on it yet, I could use this photos a lot.

and oh! its another great job of course. You are learning everyday (just kidding) hehehe.

Your carving student,
Jun

Need a full shot of the tree, so I can see all the awsomeness of yew

Very nice my friend, cant wait to see the final result.

Peter

Hi Will

We could very well be looking at a future masterpiece.....I would also like to see a picture of the whole tree.
If I have someting to carve in the future, will I seak your class.

Very kind regards Yvonne

Nice carving Will any chance of seeing the whole tree,
I always discretely leave a drainage hole when carving into the nebari
like that as it acts like a bowl and will collect water, lime sulphur
does help but wont completely stop the rot setting eventually in my experience!

Alex e

How very dare they call you into work and delay this project

Great work here Will, wish I was half as good at carving as this.
As well as calling for a full tree pic any chance of a run down on the carving bits you use?
I'm gathering up a few more at the mo and some of them are expensive. I would prefer to hear what's worth buying first.

Hi Will. I saw this yew in your blog yesterday and I think: "A wonderful work". Congratulations, you've got a very good material in this taxus baccata. I hope you enjoy it.
Greetings

I just want to make something perfectly clear. The golf ball is there for scale purposes ONLY. I would rather have my wedding vegetables set on fire than play such a ridiculous game(sorry Rob). As requested, the whole tree. I intend on styling it next February.

Hi Will,

Impressive work!!!
I love it; so natural......

Hi Will

Very good work. Dead wood looks very good.
I look forward to the first styling.
Pavel

These are all the tools I used yesterday.
1. Small rotary saw tooth for the Dremmel
2. Small wire brush for the Dremmel
3. Sanding flap wheel for the dremmel
4. very thin saw wheel for graining. Dremmel.
5. Shogun with short shaft. Big trees where you need to get in very deep need the 103mm shaft. Great for starting work off (punching in to the deadwood) and removing in those hard to reach places. Makita.
6. Ninja, for getting in behind those punched grooves and creating depth.
7 Flexcut knife for the finest detailed graining. Great for curves and knots. Hand.
There are no cheap options with machine carving whatsoever.