Life of Pol

Well, I'm still on a writing break and working on another elk burning.  I won't be posting progress pictures because through all my efforts, there was not one comment, not one "interesting" "cool", nothing.  So, again I was left feeling that no one really gives a shit. It's hard fighting these inner demons of self-doubt when nothing seems to change.

Finally finished! This one turned out to be one of my favorite burnings!

I think I'm ready to start the antlers!

I took a couple of days off from burning to spend some time with Steve, but I'm back at again today.  Spent about two and a half hours adding dark shade to one elk and just barely started on the other. But I'm done for tonight. 

Pol's Life: That's it : My fingers are tender because I'm using a higher temperature right now, and the pen is hot.  Two hours is all I can do tonight.  Look at...

My fingers are tender because I'm using a higher temperature right now, and the pen is hot.  Two hours is all I can do tonight.  Look at the difference between the two elks now that I've added more shading to the one on the left.  I love it!  This may end up being my favorite. 

I didn't think I would post more pictures until the finished product, but the changes with each layer of shading is too cool to not share.  This stage is after an hour and a half of shading darker areas. The realism starts really coming out. 

Yesterday Michael Sam was drafted into the NFL and history was made. I only wish there weren't still so many people filled with hate that just spew cruelty out of their mouths (and keyboards).

Okay one more! But I'm done for today!

I think this will be the last pic I'll post until it's finished. 

The more hair I add to the elks, the more realistic the picture becomes. 

Getting started again. Not really sure if anyone's interested but this is the machine I use to burn.  Notice the small tips? That's part of why these burnings take so long to do. 

Didn't get too far, but my hand needs to get used to holding the burning pen for long periods of time again. But it's a good start.    

Pol's Life: Like riding a bike : After almost three years without burning I was a bit nervous to do that very first burn. But I did, and my nerves quickly vanished, and I fe...

After almost three years without burning I was a bit nervous to do that very first burn. But I did, and my nerves quickly vanished, and I felt comfortable with the pen, it was just like riding a bike. 

The first thing I do is to transfer the outline and key points of the image onto the wood. All the real detailing comes with the shading later.  Transferring the image is easy enough, you can use transfer paper, but sometimes the line isn't easily erased after the burning is done if it shows through the lighter areas.  I just go back to grade school and cover the back of the image with pencil, flip it over, align it, and trace. (Tip: use a red pen, that way you'll know what you've done and that you haven't missed anything.)

Steve and I drove all over the place today looking for a cool piece of wood for the elks burning, but we couldn't find shit.  So I settled for the cut basswood log from Hobby Lobby. Not as big as I wanted, but it'll do for now. 

I think I'll be taking a break from writing.  While I do that, I will be able to do a woodburning, something I haven't done in almost three years because I've been writing so much!

Well, after my little melt down the other day, I have to admit that I'm feeling better.  That is to say, better, but not great.  I'll just have to see what the future holds for me.