Stylized Dove Brooch

Here are some photos I took of the process of making a stylized dove brooch. First, I make a few sketches. You can see the last two in the photo below. Then I get a piece of basswood about the right size. The piece is thicker than required, so I quickly thin it down with a gouge.

After thinning it down, I sketch the pattern directly on the wood and cut around the outline with a coping saw.

With the rough outline cut, I put it on some non-slip netting to help hold it in place while carving.

I use gouges to shape the carving.

Now the rough gouge work is complete. You can now see the form of the head and body. The wings have a slightly concave shape with a raised edge.

Since I want a smooth finish, I am working though progressively finer grits of Abranet sand paper. I end with 600 grit.

With the sanding completed, it is ready for finishing.

I add my initials to the back with a wood burner. A pin will be added on the back, just above the initials, to make it into a brooch.

Finally, here is the finished product.

Thank you for following along and please let me know what you think.