Eastern Chipmunk

Recently I had a request for a Chipmunk holding an acorn. 

 

First I created a clay model.

Next I turned the acorn on a lathe.

                           

                  

  

                Then I cut the profile out of basswood and started shaping.

 

 

 

I decided to compare the carving to a live chipmunk. 

At first he was a little camera shy.

Then he decided to pose nicely. 
More work needs to be done.

 Everything is pretty well shaped up. 
The lower part of the tail is carved out of the same block of wood as the rock.

Here's the finished carving, painted with acrylics.