Honest opinions needed

[ProfessorM]

Looks very good. IMO a little lighter on the scales so they don't standout quite so much but I like them on the fish.

[afterhours]

stripes, no scales.

[Saltheart]

I like the no scales better.

Maybe less pronounced scales would work? I think the scales on the one pictured here break up the lines too much so it does not look like a striper.

Nice work on both though!

edited to read "does not".

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by MAC

LOL, Actually I'll have one for ya at TFTCN....... Not sure if it will be scales or smooth though. My wife already claimed the smooth one I did a few weeks ago.

First off - your bride has a good eye

Sencondly, I'm honored - thank you!

[keeperreaper]

MAC,

Looks great! If you need a mantle to display it on let me know. It would look awesome on mine.

[Raider Ronnie]

scales or not,
Very cool Mac

[eastendlu]

Both are buetiful works of art Dave.As to your question i prefer the one without the scales.

[westhavendave]

Mac, I prefer the bass without scales, I also prefer the stripes from the bass with scales more than the unscaled basses stripes, a little more realistic, because we all know the stripes are actually a row of dots. hope this wasn't too confusing. Beautiful work.

[lurch]

Nice work! IMO I would add the scales but lighten them so that the stripes stand out more.

[gone fishin]

Less scales - Beautiful work as usual Dave, but the scales seem to stand out too much.

[basshunter]

both are beautiful works, definitely a great talent, nice job on both
when do you start to sell them????

[hyefisherman2]

mac good work!

but i think i like the one with out stripes better. IMO

[Gunpowder]

Originally Posted by hyefisherman2

mac good work!

but i think i like the one with out stripes better. IMO

i think u meant without the scales steve and i think i agree too. either lighten down the scales like chris had mentioned or just stick with the stripes. either way, ure work is always awesome to look at. u sure have a talent.

[BassDawg]

WOW!!

That is some fine craftsmanship, Dave. Well done!! You have a true gift and talent, there..............................

As most have said, I feel that the secondary scales take away from the stripes, however the scales make for a better overall work. The scales doan seem busy to me as they make for a fine transition from the stripes to the body of your striper, and more texture is always a good thing when working with wood as it adds definition and tonal depth to your piece. Is there a way to make the "secondary" scales a little less pronounced than the "stripes" scales?

IMHO, keep the scales as they add depth, tone, and realistic detail to yer striper. Also, verrrry nice work on the dorsal, the head, the tail, and the rest of the fins. When can we start buying them, bro ? I like the added bonus of the lure, as well.

She's very life-like, MAC, and looks like she just swam out of one of my honey holes, up Cape Ann way .

[fish4striper]

sweet mac!!!

like the one w/o scales better

[bloocrab]

Nice job Dave!!

Honest opinion, I'd sand down the scales to lighten-em up and then re-introduce the stripes lightly as not to overpower the other details. If they came in heavy, I'd sand those down as well. SAnding does wonders as I'm sure you know. BUT...GREAT job none-the-less.

Are you still doing Rock therapy??

[thortum]

Originally Posted by Nebe

too busy. you want the stripes to speak out- If you were to use a technique that gave you a more subtle scale pattern, but do a heavier scale line for the stripes, you will have a stronger surface design... its not a scaled bass- its a striped bass

I agree with Nebe. There are too many scales and they are too dark. Scales should fade away from head to tail, and from back to belly. Also it would look better if you could blend in the hard lines such at fins and gill plate. There should be less contrast at the head also. I hope I don,t sound too critical but I,m just offering constuctive criticism. You might want to try another carving technique to highlight the scales and gill plate, rather than painting them in. Good luck and keep posting them. I'm sure we all like seeing a budding artist.

[Jenn]

I say both look good but given a chance to compare the two... I would say no scales....sometimes less is better!

[Charlie G]

Dave they are both great wooks.
I must say I'm drawn to the carving without scales. It may be the dark contrast with the scales and fins and the lateral lines are to faint on the scaled one. Also the mouth looks nicer on the one with out the scales, maybe cause it's not open as much and the fishs shape that way. The wife has a good eye !

[BillM]

That is very good work.You obviously take a lot of pride in your carving.You should master your craft. Take some scrap wood and
practice carving scales so that they overlap and cast shadows exactly the way you want.Experiment and master it and make it your signature.I had to do a pen & ink drawing of a viking ship one time and I took 4 or 5 days to learn how to draw waves. Totally worth it.Do your best,why show the world anything less?
Good Luck!

[Skitterpop]

Like the stripes better Dave but that one is nice to. Maybe lighter on scales and a mixed version. All Nice .

[Striperknight]

I like the scales but would do it with a finer woodburning edge.
Thinner lines on the scales is what I'm trying to say.

[ChiefLinesider]

Whats the scale of these fish?

Seriously, no pun intended


Personally, I like the scales better than the dotted line. I think they would be killer if there was some way to lay out the scaled design with more pattern. or to get a curved wood burning tip ... Nice work

I agree with striperknight about having a finer edged tool also...

[chris L]

I like them both , lighter on the scales would be nice to see the stripes better . but your the artist your choice . My buddy made a beutiful rainbow trout on the perfect shaded piece of black walnut with a burner . just awesome ability

[HESH2]

great job dave,i liked the no scales a little better but both are great works.keep it up.

[PaulS]

Both are nice but I like the one w/o the scales better.

[STREETFIGHT]

both great, but i like the one w/out scales a little better

[american spirit]

awesome mac. i like the one without scales better. no scales. let me know when they are up for sale. i'd buy 3 or 4 of them. great gift idea as well.

[Rockfish9]

Both are art forms Personaly... no scales

[spence]

As you probably assumed (why else for the post ) the scale pattern is a bit heavy and busy IMHO.

I'd shoot for something inbetween. Instead of individual scales perhaps use some "scale like" marks to add character or motion. Take a look at fish pictures to see what features you may want to incorporate as accents so they add interest but don't dominate.

Still great stuff though

-spence