Welcome, Thom,
Good advice already given. I do think the advice about using Baltic Birch is sound advice and less likely to break
and another suggestion I'd like to contribute is the order of the cuts. You want to leave as much wood to support
the surrounding areas as possible as you cut.
I've been scrolling for quite a while now and I would still cut this pattern, removing the black, by starting on the
bottom left, then counter-clockwise to the area with the nose, then the right bottom, then the top of the head,
then the left eye as you are looking at the pattern, and finally the right eye.
It would not hurt at all to make those small circular areas that make the eyes a little bit larger. Just remove a
little less of the black and leave a little more the wood.
Can't wait to see your finished project. Don't forget to date and photograph your early attempts so you can watch your own
progress!
God Bless! Spirithorse