WoodBeeCarver

Sage of the Road is a hobo carving that is serving as a model for another hobo carving of Rube who will be carved out of the basswood block standing behind Sage of the Road. The block is five inches tall by two and a half inches square.  Hobos are nostalgic and romantic figures of a by-gone era that some call the “good ole days.” 

 Hobos began around the American Civil War and were itinerant labors who traveled all over the country in search of adventure as well as work.  It has been said that a “hobo is one who travels for work, a tramp travels but will not work and a bum neither travels nor works.”  Some say that the term “hobo” is a shortened version of “hoe boy” or an itinerant farm laborer who carried his hoe with his bindle bag tied to the hoe handle. 

Even though “hoboing” was often a hard and dangerous way of life, yet its freedom and adventure created a colorful way of life along with colorful characters.  Hobo carvings is an attempt to capture that color.

These three photographs are to study the comparison between Sage and Rube along with a block of basswood the same size as the one from which Rube was carved.  The RULE OF THREE for Body Proportions are indicated on the block to correspond with the completed carvings. 

The first thing carved in the block of wood was the head covering and the head along with establishing the top of the shoulders.  Once the head is carved to its basic size and form then the rest of the block of wood is divided into three equal division that establish the location of the shoulders, waist, knees and bottom of feet.  Once these are established then the parts of the body can be drawn and carved to their basic form.  Once the entire body has received its basic form and shape then individual areas are carved in detail.

These three photographs study the three divisions of facial proportions of the RULE OF THREE.  The cap covers the hair line and half of the forehead, so that third needs to be imagined.

  The middle third of the face is the section between the eyebrow and the bottom of the nose which also determines the length of the ear which sits on the back half on the side of the head.  The bottom third is the bottom of nose to bottom of chin. 

 The bottom third proportion is also divided into three sections of the RULE OF THREE for the mouth/jaw barrel: Bottom of Nose to Top Lip is one third, Top Lip to Indention between bottom lip and chin is one third and Indention to bottom of Chin is one third.  Study all three photographs to begin to see the facial proportions.

These three photographs study incorporating “S” curves into the flow of clothing lines as well as the effect of tears at elbow and shoulder seams coming apart.

These three photographs show the carving details of frayed pant cuffs, torn knees and  plaid patch on knee.

These photogrpahs show the completed Rube.  The cigar is carved as coming out of his mouth which results is very thin and weak  cross grained area that is strengthened by soaking the cigar with super glue.  The same was done to the bill of his cap and the toes of his feet and shoes. His thumb nail was created by making a slicing  cut on top of the thumb which creates facet that reflects light to give the appearance of a thumb nail.    Day old whiskers were made by randomly pushing the point of the knife into the face to simulate whiskers.

The name “Rube” as in “he is a rube” means an “unsophisticated character,” and yet this Rube does have character as a “Knight of the Road.”

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The carving subject called “The Fundamentalist” has been carved several times.   The August 20, 2008 posting offers a tutorial on carving a six inch tall Fundamentalist.  In this posting the approach will be to offer several photographs as a visual study in the various stages in the carving of two Fundamentalist, twelve inches tall.  A visual study is to study each photograph by allowing the eye and mind to explore the carving progressions imagining the carving process.  Sometimes this is the best way for self discovery rather than having everything spelled out without reading between the lines.

These three photographs shows the progression and stages of carving two new figures along with an original painted figure to show the direction of the carving.  The tools being used are gouges made by Everett Cutsinger (see January 22, 2008 posting).  Starting with a square block of wood, the figure is carved to its basic form beginning with the head.  Once the head is established then the rest of the body is divided using the RULE OF THREE body proportions: shoulders to waist is one third; waist to top of knees is one third; top of knees to bottom of feet is one third.

Once the figure is carved to its basic form, then individual areas are  carved in detail.  Notice how the book progresses from a boxy-block-mass into the pages carved in detail. 

These three photographs show the progression of carving the book, pages, hands and tie in detail.  Since the page edges are carved cross grained, which is a weak area subject to breakage, the edges are soaked with super glue to strengthen the edges.

In following the visual study of these six photographs one will discover that there are two faces.  Even though each is similar to the other, yet there are differences to be  slowly discovered in this visual study.

These series of photographs offer a Visual Study of how details are carved into the basic forms of the face.   The proportions of the face are determined by following the RULE OF THREE as it applies to the face: Hairline to Eyebrow is one third; Eyebrow to Bottom of Nose is one third; Bottom of Nose to Chin is one third.

  Notice how an eye mound is prepared to receive the carving of the eye lids and eyes.  Notice how the facial wrinkles are added to enhance the age of the face.  Notice how the eye brows and hair mass are prepared to receive the detailing of hair and how the ear is covered by the sideburns leaving only the lobe of the ear exposed. 

 This Visual Study is to learn how to see before one actually carves in the details.  Before the details can be carved a proper foundation needs to be carved to the basic form first.  Detail always follows Form.

Continuing the Visual Study the first photograph is looking down on the top of the heads of the two carvings in this posting.  It is always helpful to study a carving  from all angles as well as top and bottom views.  The next two photographs are of the second Fundamentalist as it appears before being painted. 

 The last two photographs show the three Fundamentalists.  In the first the two unpainted were the subject of this posting while the painted one was the original twelve inch carving of this subject. 

 The last photograph is of all three Fundamentalists with the original being on the left.  The other two became commission pieces with one going to Maryland and the other to South Carolina.

As Yogi Berra said, “You can observe a lot just by watching,” so it is, looking at a Visual Study one can see more to a carving than meets the eye.

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Today, February 12, 2009 is the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln.  In the left hand column of this blog under “Cool Links” click on a link entitled  ”Abraham Lincoln Historical Site” which is about the “Congressional Funeral Delagation” standing in front of Abraham Lincoln’s Springfield, Illinois home.  The site shows photographs of  carvings of the twently two congressmen depicted in the historic photograph along with historic biographical information written by historian Gary Kersey.