My issue/question is, once you outline and undercut a feature such as the hat for instance, I need to relieve the background to the new depth of the cut. Do I gently slope the background to the original level, or flatten it level and leave a higher rim? If the proper way is to flatten to the rim then all the relief would need to be at the same level, and the areas off of the neck don't really require that. Perhaps I'm carving too deep to begin with. After watching a few Mrthe videos I think I'll make a sculpting punch and begin resting cut areas back to flat with that prior to stoning.
I've done them every which way, and it's far easier to flatten the field all the way to the rim. However, that's the least desirable way in my opinion. Look at Billzach's hobos for examples of flawless fields. Also Ron Landis does a spectacular job and his coins look like they were minted that way and not carved. You will find that making a smooth field is time consuming work. Also be careful to keep the outside rim edge nice and sharp. I've seen too many hobos with rims that have been rounded over from sanding and polishing.
As for this coin, I don't think the folded ear works.
Hi Sam,
You don't think the folded ear works because it's out of character, or I drew it poorly?