Finding the magic.

I think there is a magical sweet spot when you discover the right tool(s) to use on the right material. In the past, PZ Kut (A or B) and the Staedtler carving gouges were complete and total magic for me. I look back at some of my old carves and marvel. Was I ever that accomplished at carving? I remember at the time thinking that I could carve anything I wanted with success. However, that is not the case today.

As you may know, I have spent quite a bit of time and resources to try new tools. I have also tried a number of carving blocks, but have always circled back to my old PZ scraps (which requires small stamps at this point!). I have one piece of PZ (A) that a dear friend gifted to me quite a while ago, and I am afraid to use it. It seems I am saving it for something very special. 

But, I think I have found my way again. Not that I can carve anything I want - far from it! But, my theory has been proving true: The carving tools intended for lino and wood - such as the Flexcut, Dockyard, Ramelson, and Pfeil - probably work best on stiffer material. I had been using Firm Kut thinking that was going to be my go-to, but was really fighting with it more than anything. It has a nice, smooth cut, and I can get fine-ish detail, but I always struggle with those tight corners. It is more rubbery than I would like, I guess. 

When I first tried Tan Z, I was using the Staedtler gouge, which proved to be quite a 'push' on that stiffer material; I have friends who can't use it due to hand fatigue. On a whim I took another try with the Tan Z, but this time instead of using the Staedtlers, I used the Pfeil tools primarily, and using Flexcut for cleanup. I was actually surprised with the results! I think I may have hit on that sought-after magic combination! I didn't experience the hand fatigue like before - perhaps this was due to the different way the tools are held. Further, the corners 'popped' nice and clean, and I was able to get that fine detail I want. At least for me and my style of carving, there was not a lot of 'clean up' required - which was rather surprising. 

Here are some of my latest efforts. The images are not similar other than they were all carved on Tan Z with Pfeil and Flexcut tools. The real test is carving portraits and lettering, but I have been rather frustrated with lettering as of late, so I just stuck with a portrait for now.

Isn't that pie the cutest thing ever?
It is just under an inch, the portrait is 1 x 1.5",
and the ship is 3.5 x 2".

I think I will continue to work with this combination - the proof of real magic will be shown over time. 

After we returned from our glorious vacation in Central Oregon, I got to carving for Plant a Letterbox Day. I decided to go ahead and plant the planned boxes mostly because I want to utilize minimal restrictions, and according to the rules, that is not allowed. So, they 'commemorate' PAL, rather than being part of the 'official' count for that day. So be it.

It was so beautiful while we were out planting, I snapped a couple pics. Y'know, for a tired, old mill town, Aberdeen (Washington) has some really beautiful places, if you know where to look.

the muddy banks of the Wishkah

along the Chehalis River

a magical sunset