So I got to spend the week learning to carve from Mary May at the Port Townsend School of Woodworking. Here’s the last project of the week that we did. I didn’t quite finish it but you get the idea of a Acanthus leaf. Class was great fun and Mary’s laid back approach to carving was tons of fun.
sheworkswood.com 
I’d say you are a natural. It turned out really nice.
I don’t know of a better teacher that Mary!