Woodcarving a Miniature Skull - Netsuke Style - Halloween Special

#netsuke #woodcarving
In this video I show how I carve a miniature skull from a block of Kingwood.
I have created a number of playlists on my KZbin channel, including one with Halloween related projects.
Halloween Playlist
• Halloween Projects
Music is Skanada by Text Me records from the KZbin music library.
My name is Jim Overton, welcome to my channel.
Thanks for watching.
Please like, share and subscribe.
Disclaimer
Woodturning and woodworking is potentially dangerous!
My videos are designed to give viewers creative ideas.
The way I work is not necessarily the best or safest way to work!
Your safety is your own responsibility not mine.
Please follow all safety procedures and wear personal protective equipment.
Wear a visor and a respirator dust mask at all times.
Be safe, be creative and enjoy your turning.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thanks for watching, please check out my latest video for a much more detailed skull carving.

[@suenice9083]

Can’t find latest skull

[@JimsonMakes]

It is the next video on from this one and is called carving a Boxwood and Blackwood skull. It is a carving of a Cape Buffalo Skull

[@christopherrobin3111]

Would love to buy that as shifter knob....

[@gmiller8260]

Would you take a commission for a similar piece??

[@woodworkingcar2934]

This is perfect!

[@kolloduke3341]

I am being presumptious but i think its a great idea that your including details written on the screen as your going along with your project .For those of us that are hard of hearing at times .Thankyou .

[@JimsonMakes]

Many thanks for watching , glad you like titles.

[@user-kb7so6jy3u]

Ive learned alot just watching this one video.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you

[@przybyla420]

Other than the Gothic boxwood prayer bead skull this is the best wooden skull I’ve seen, I love that polish you put on it. And those renaissance miniatures were made by aliens if you ask me, so we humble earthlings shouldn’t necessarily use them to measure our success. With hard woods there is a trade off, roughing out is difficult but then you are able to add more detail and use the luster to your advantage to draw the eye from the rougher low spots, and your tools don’t have to be as finicky with keenness and bevel angles to not tear the grain or leave it fuzzy.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much , I really appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment .

[@tedspens]

It looks fantastic! And you're right, people too often undervalue smaller pieces.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Ted, glad you like it. Cheers Jim

[@PaulLockwood]

Looks amazing Jim. Totally agree about people not knowing how much work goes into small items. I think it's much harder and takes longer to make miniature items. Well done!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Paul. Yes and making a 15 minute video on something that took quite a few hours really does nothing to dispel that notion. Cheers Jim

[@riptoff]

You never cease to amaze - thanks for sharing Jim

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, I really appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. Cheers Jim

[@ravenryder4007]

Love the detail on that skull .

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, I’ve done an even more detailed skull in my latest video. Cheers Jim

[@erichvonglahn5314]

Just beautiful.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Erich Cheers Jim

[@MonicaLN]

Simply amazing... And your knowledge of anatomy is beyond impressive! It's the detail that sets this piece apart. I know it wasn't easy to film but I'm ever so grateful you did!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Monica. I must admit that I did used to study anatomy but it was over 30 years ago. Cheers Jim

[@sosteve9113]

Totally agree ,really beautiful

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Steve

[@Bentriverrusher]

I am generally not a scull kind of guy but that is a downright beauty. The hardwood pays off in the quality of the finished piece.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, I really appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment Cheers Jim

[@Mac2474]

Wish I had a fraction of your patience and skill, wonderful!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Mac, this one certainly tested my patience ! Cheers Jim

[@carlosfandango1931]

Great job you have a lot of patience, I collect netsuke and can hardly believe sometimes how people create these works of art, gorgeous.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Cheers Jim

[@TheBorderRyker]

“Like a fresh conker!” Awesome 👌🏻

[@JimsonMakes]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@pelonete5000]

What a beauty!!! You are a master

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much

[@user-kb7so6jy3u]

That piece is stunning!!!!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you

[@jontgreene]

Stunning!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Cheers Jim

[@2thatonegirl16]

i absolutely love it! i'm completely obsessed with skulls. i've drawn, sketched, painted and sculpted maybe a million of them. i loved the attention to detail you put in. everyone tends to forget the little foramen, or they're too hard to put in. i loved that you tried to put in sutures too, even if they came out a bit like uniform zig zags instead of sketchy. i seriously love this little guy. i'd buy him in a heartbeat. as if i need more skulls for my collection, haha.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much. I really appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. Yes I too am a bit of a skull fanatic, I have a fair collection going on. I am actually working on another more elaborate skull carving video at the moment. I agree on the sutures, I think at this scale I should have left them off. Cheers Jim

[@polysoul1]

That's a work of art, right there.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, much appreciated Cheers Jim

[@flatbedtrucker]

This would make a nice shift knob great job

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, yes would work well as a gear shift knob. Cheers Jim

[@ajcasperite]

Really nice sculpt. Sweet skull. Forget bowls love skulls.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much. I have got some more skull carving projects coming soon. Cheers Jim

[@sosteve9113]

Stunning skull,really beautiful carved

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Steve, glad you like it. Cheers Jim

[@bonsiatreesseedsandplantsf4812]

Wow that's cool that wood look nice on top of a old walking stick

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Cheers Jim

[@bonsiatreesseedsandplantsf4812]

@@JimsonMakes your welcome can wait to see what else u make.(can u do a cat?)

[@toddhigdon5928]

Awesome work...wow the details

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Todd Cheers Jim

[@ZacHiggins]

Wowza!! That is some amazing detail Jim, what a great piece!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much my friend, glad you like it. Cheers Jim

[@acegulliver5414]

What a lovely color and grain to the wood. The skull looks amazing!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much. Yes a very special piece of wood. Cheers Jim

[@adrianfbird]

That is bloody beautiful I want one

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you

[@maggieirving]

Respect Jim.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Maggie Cheers Jim

[@barryleitch6915]

FANTASTIC

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Cheers Jim

[@markdmaker3173]

Beautiful work! I’ve been wood carving for 30 years and I am very impressed.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much and your words mean a lot to me coming from an experienced carver. Cheers Jim

[@patcallaway9804]

The skull is great! The video is phenomenal!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Pat, much appreciated. Cheers Jim

[@g.b.8445]

A great video and project Jim, thanks for sharing.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much George Cheers Jim

[@deanoboland]

Outstanding

[@henrysheldon2654]

Skull carving is the metalist thing I ever heard

[@JimsonMakes]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@ghostravenXX]

Great detail. Fantastic Job

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Cheers Jim

[@hypnoraythompson5824]

lovely little piece

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Cheers Jim

[@thizizliz]

While we are quoting Bobby Duke, you must what we KNOW he'll say; "I want that!" 😄 It's terrific Jim. Really cool.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, I hope Bobby would say that. Glad you like it. Cheers Jim

[@marilyngianadda1167]

Beautiful!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Marilyn Cheers Jim

[@ammo_skull]

Omg, I'd love to own that skull, I'm yet to get a wooden skull for my skull collection. Absolutely love it! ❤️

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Annmarie, not sure if I will be selling this one yet. Glad you like it. Cheers Jim

[@JimG31547]

Jim, Great patients and skill went into that skull. Thanks for sharing.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Jim, much appreciated. Cheers Jim

[@hollyhoodwink]

lovely , thanks for posting

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Holly, much appreciated. Cheers Jim

[@YARDDREG1]

Great skull carving

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Cheers Jim

[@Enlightened4love]

Absolutely gorgeous!!!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Anne. Cheers Jim

[@HueyLionsheart]

You gotta love the attention to detail in this little piece! Nice work Jim.👍

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, glad you like it. Cheers Jim

[@BradGryphonn]

Love that skull.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Brad Cheers Jim

[@BradGryphonn]

@@JimsonMakes Seriously Jim, that is beautiful work. The detail and the polish is stunning. Sorry, my first comment didn't quite express my admiration for this work. I need to buy another 'dremel' type tool. I'm learning hand carving at the moment. Mainly using an H. Roselli Wootz knife and an Original Mora with the laminated steel for my carving work.

[@dawnmason9558]

Beautiful Jim.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Dawn Cheers Jim

[@norman1826]

well done..perfect art.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Cheers Jim

[@WoodyWood]

Jim that is stunning You are a true artist Thank you

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Graham, I appreciate your very kind words. Cheers Jim

[@indianajones7470]

I absolutely love it - beautiful wood grain and fantastic detail and workmanship. I collect skulls and would love to have a piece like yours in my collection

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Indy. Glad you like it. Cheers Jim

[@maxschaefer7429]

That looks awesome!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Max. Cheers Jim

[@MakingItOutOfTheWoods]

Looked lots of hard work. Good old Dremel came to the rescue, love the foot pedal,. Lovely project and proper spooky, Halloween 👻 worthy 🤗

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Claire, yes couldn’t be without my Dremel, comes in handy so often. Cheers Jim

[@judithmurfey2601]

Wonderful job Jim. I love it and Netsuke carving in general. Detail in such small pieces, I think, shows a lot more skill than a lager piece.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Judith, yes I am a big fan of Netsuke too. I like small tactile pieces you can pick up and examine. Cheers Jim

[@chompers11]

incredible work thanks

[@JimsonMakes]

Many thanks!

[@MrMetalManMe]

That is top class!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, check out my most recent skull carving video. Cheers Jim

[@baconsoda]

That's super Jim.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Brendan. Cheers Jim

[@ColemanOutdoors]

Nicely done!! Beautiful!!!!!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Cheers Jim

[@ColemanOutdoors]

@@JimsonMakes you're welcome and cheers in return!

[@maggiebilliet5251]

beautiful jim fantastic wook not a lover of skulls but yours is stunning thanx for sharing jim

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Maggie, yes skulls are a bit of a love/hate thing but they are great to carve and draw. Cheers Jim

[@stevenpope940]

Perfect shifter knob! It would go for a pretty penny at a car show!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Steven Cheers Jim

[@Seraphimsh]

Excelente trabalho, lindo demais, parabéns!

[@JimsonMakes]

obrigado Cheers Jim

[@jackierudd6264]

SPOOKY 💀 but bloody brilliant. That's craftmanship at it's finest. 😊💖🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 lovely little👱💖xxx

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Jackie, much appreciated. Cheers Jim

[@youremybiggestfan]

Looks like E.T. with the paper :D nice job

[@JimsonMakes]

yes it does rather

[@DaveGDesigns]

Great job Jim unbelievable detail and the finish is amazing well done fella. 👌🏻

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Dave, a long job but worth it. Cheers Jim

[@gntd1416]

Highly impressed and grateful for it too mate. Cheers. : )

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, I really appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. Check out my latest video, it is a very different more detailed skull carving. Cheers Jim

[@ecalzo]

omg simply beautiful ... wow

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, I really appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. Cheers Jim

[@ecalzo]

@@JimsonMakes I saw the huge amount of time you put into this little hard wood miniature.. and you have patience and skills to do such a good little gem.. 😊

[@Sludgepump]

LOVE it Jim!! That would look so good on a cane with some brass fittings. Nice work... Wow!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Sludgepump, yes I did think about that, probably would need to be a bit bigger though. Cheers Jim

[@xf8xwolfhound13adventure8]

That some amazing work. I love how the skull turned out. Im a big fan of skulls.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Steven, yes you can’t beat skulls, they are great for art of all sorts. Cheers Jim

[@nickzammeti]

another great video buddy. I wish i could carve like this .. awesome !! Thanks for the MC shout out dude,.....

[@JimsonMakes]

Thanks mate, glad you like it. No problem on the MC 2019 shoutout, it is going to be even more awesome than this years 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Cheers Jim

[@digitaIgorilla]

Be inspired Nick, go have a go. We don't have to see video evidence 😉

[@TheBeardx16]

I agree ! i live by the motto youl never know you can until you try it

[@duncanwilliams6691]

Great work Jim I love it, Thanks for sharing.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Cheers Jim

[@HeathKnuckles_Tasty_Timber]

Beautiful work Jim! 😍💀👊🤟 Awesome looking skull!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Heath, glad you like it my friend, I was pleased with the end result👍🏼 Cheers Jim

[@johngrenfell7171]

Loved your video and the finished skull was fantastic I a few netsuke skulls and yours would look great with my others looking forward to watch your next video

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much!

[@pennyhardin7152]

awesome going to try this myself god bless u and urs thank u for this video

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Penny, glad you liked it. Cheers Jim

[@PetroicaRodinogaster264]

nice grain in the wood and very interesting carving. I often wonder what the fascination is with skulls that so many have.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much. Difficult to say why skulls are fascinating, they are amazing structures, it must be something deep within us that draws us to them and they certainly have great significance in many cultures across the world. Cheers Jim

[@gavincoyle]

Absolutely fantastic that look brilliant can't wait to see more like this 👍👍👍

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Gavin, hopefully more woodcarving coming soon. Cheers Jim

[@yeeyeee6492]

Amazing wood work

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Cheers Jim

[@garytindale4664]

Great work Jim, so good to see your other skills beyond turning and milliput. Some milliput eyes would be spooky.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Gary. I did think about making a couple of eyeballs for some of the end photos. Cheers Jim

[@MrGibbie2210]

Awesome work .... love the tip of the foot peddle ... again, awesome job

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Graham. The foot pedal is very useful, the pedals are very cheap on eBay, just make sure you wire up the poles correctly. The pedal lead will work on other machines that do not have an NVR switch. Cheers Jim

[@triplesevensix291]

Awesome work Jim. Im just getting into carving wood & also tagua nut & want to get some soapstone also. Im also starting cigar box guitars too. What a great hobby. Ive got the bug bad. Very inspiring work man. I love it.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much, much appreciated. Yes carving is a fantastic hobby, I’ve got some Tagus nuts but have yet to carve them. Cheers Jim

[@huntersmoon9724]

Looks amazing. That would make a great head to a walking stick. Thanks.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you, yes it would make a great stick top and would develop a great patina with use. Cheers Jim

[@midninteranger4315]

Absolutely beautiful art work

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much. Cheers Jim

[@derekwilkinson7939]

Your a very talented chap Jim. Awesome job.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Derek, much appreciated. Cheers Jim

[@geraldshultz4271]

You are an amazingly talented man Jim. Its a pleasure to watch you work. I always learn from your videos. Thanks for another great video.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Gerald, I really appreciate you taking the time to watch my videos. Cheers Jim

[@Little_Red_Riding_Hoodlum]

Awesome work!!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Kerri. Cheers Jim

[@MsAndre575]

Здравствуйте! Спасибо за информативное поучительное видео 👍👍👍

[@JimsonMakes]

привет и спасибо Cheers Jim

[@Buschmann64]

Perfect,very good job

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much!

[@chaz2939]

That was great!!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Charlie Cheers Jim

[@karinagonzalez5787]

Excelente!!! Uno de los mejores trabajos que he visto! saludos desde Argentina.

[@JimsonMakes]

Muchas gracias y saludos desde Inglaterra. Cheers Jim

[@karinagonzalez5787]

Gracias a vos por compartir lo que sabés! bendiciones para vos y tu familia. desde Bariloche. Argentina.

[@jamielawson1188]

impressive work

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Jamie. Cheers Jim

[@DeathFisk]

Absolutely gorgeous! Great work!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Tim, much appreciated. Cheers Jim

[@sdoilpaint4368]

Beautiful work well done

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Cheers Jim

[@tomhelsby1304]

Really good Jim. You made me want to have a go at carving.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Tom. Give it a try, it is very satisfying. Cheers Jim

[@videosunrelated1883]

never seen a man complain about his wood being so hard. - great video in time for Halloween.

[@JimsonMakes]

Quite right I shouldn’t grumble and thanks for watching, glad you like it. Cheers Jim

[@Oonagh72]

How did I miss this video?? This is amazing. I love the chatoyancy. Your hand are blessed. Jim you said a new word. That Japanese style of carving, gotta spell it for me so I can look it up!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much. Netsuke were originally ornate carved toggles that were fitted to the rope/cord belts worn by the Japanese. Google Netsuke and you will be amazed by the wonderful array of fantastic carvings. Cheers Jim

[@simonfreeman6790]

Wow!! great skull

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you Simon, much appreciated. Cheers Jim

[@stewartfurini]

That's superb, Jim - really enjoyed watching this one. Great skill!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Stewart, much appreciated mate. Cheers Jim

[@lauriemcconnell4172]

Your work is absolutely fabulous. I’m just getting started with power carving. Made furniture for 40 years. Took a bit ill. I just couldn’t give it up so I’m trying power carving. This was my first video I’ve seen of yours. I subscribed instantly. I have alerts set. I can’t wait for more. Take care my friend and thanks from Colorado.

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Laurie, I appreciate you taking the time to watch and subscribe. Good luck with your power carving Cheers Jim

[@canaan5337]

Wow nice much better than carving a pumpkin that's not going to rot and need thrown out

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much and will certainly last longer than a pumpkin 👍🏼 Cheers Jim

[@MrBowhuntershane]

True craft'sman!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Shane, much appreciated. Cheers Jim

[@timberdish]

Super job there Jim! What a cool little skull. I can totally see what you mean about that wood, incredible grain - I think you did it justice :)

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Matt. Yes beautiful wood, very precious. Cheers Jim

[@Gha6i]

You are soooo good and so patient as well 👍👍 love the little girl

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Cheers Jim

[@pigcatapult]

So beautiful!

[@JimsonMakes]

Thank you very much Cheers Jim