old design new style

I recently had a request to carve a previous design, my biker Santa ornament. This is how the new one came out, the left side is before paint and the right side is after paint and finish.

I have been modifying the way I paint and have painted a more watered down color both on bass wood and butternut wood. The thing you have to keep in mind is that when you water down a color it also tends to lighten up some so at times I had to add a dark brown or black to maintain a rich yet transparent color to highlight the grain of the wood. I am happy with the direction my painting efforts have taken me lately and will continue to experiment with the colors for future carvings.

as always, 

"Good night and May God bless"