@BobbyLane Have you seen this tree at the start here (not the thumbnail)? Awesome trunk. Similar style to Graham Potter. I prefer this to Harry Harringtons
Cool! I only posted the Harry one because of the carving really and it was more recent, but I guess you can see more in Potters videos where he goes more in depth. I like Tony's yews, he doesnt work on much stumps though.
Here's a bit of Yew inspiration
also, have you thought about how you'll style this one going forwards? are you more going for the original 'conifer' look with all the branches going horizontal all the way to the crown, or maybe, just my suggestion, I think ascending branching would suit the tree. many yews in nature actually are 'broomy' they have many low branches that sag and also a lot of upward and out branches as you go higher up the tree. thats what im doing with one I have, ascending branches as you go up. I think it would suit the roundish shape yours already has and it will also appear more natural. sometimes when you bend really thick branches downwards it doesnt look completely natural to me, Yews in nature while having saggy branches they also have large subtrunks that rise, then you want the more flexible ones coming off to do the bend downwards, rather than making thick branches curve if you know what i mean. guide wire on thick bits may give you a more natural curve tho, on thick bits. straight sections of branch on yew can be hidden with foliage also.
But you started well, just making suggestions going forward
Looking up! by
Hitman, on Flickr
Ormiston Yew Tree by
Raycce, on Flickr
Taxus baccata - Yew tree in Pyrford Churchyard by
Ashley Wood, on Flickr
ancient yew Taxus baccata by
Eloy Revilla, on Flickr
you can see in some of these where heavy branches rise upwards and taper off and the thinner branches then dip. but on bonsai, everyone does the bend from the base, if you see what i mean.