Need help on my European olive styling/carving

[Cadillactaste]

Great advice. Hey at first when I got the tree that's what drew me in what the deadwood so ya u can't put it back on once it's off. Definitely going to be a thought and the tree will progress with my skills..I am not to big to ask for help but I'm a DIY kinda guy so the more I can do myself and learn the better..

Just practice on different material. Don't let this be your first carving experience.

I highly recommend studying YouTube videos of Kevin Wilson. He's an absolute wizard for carving in the UK. I'm quite a groupie of his work. He carves inside to make shadows. It looks..natural.

That said if you choose to do it yourself. Study the art of carving. Bonsai Empire had classes online I took. Carving was among them. Just don't let the olive be your guinea pig.

I'm a hands on too. Once I see a vision for my tree. I don't want anyone's hands to touch it. I could never allow an artist ...even one I respected to work a tree I seen a direction with. Because we all see a tree differently. Now one I have no inkling...sure have at it.

That said...I will seek out advice when I'm stumped. From ones I respect. Sometimes it's a light bulb moment. Like wiring my maple the other day. Then...others I chew over the guidance.

It's a really nice olive. I won't touch mine. I love the texture and natural feel the deadwood offers. It's why...I bought it.

Good luck to you...and enjoy your journey.