The Red Beard Pirate has been an often repeated carving subject and on this version this pirate will be the subject of a tutorial on the SLOW and EASY method of carving. The first photo gallery will be of the finished and painted rendition of the Red Beard Pirate. Which will be followed by a verbal descriptive tutorial with additional photos of the Slow and Easy carving process.
“Wood carving is the journey more than the destination,” is an observation made during the process of carving through the years. The “destination” represents the finished carving and the “journey” represents the process of the carving activity. It is this “journey” that brings the most joy of creating to the carver because once the project is completed the carver is anxious to begin another carving project to experience the journey.
The RULE OF THREE for proportional divisions of the face and body for a carved figure can also be applied for a sitting posture of a carved figure. The Rule of Three for body proportions once the head has been established divides the rest of the body into equal proportions: Shoulder to Waist; Waist to Mid Knees: Mid Knees to Bottom of Feet. This guide works well for a standing figure and it can also be applied to a sitting figure using the three divisions bending at the waist and bending at the knees. Keep in mind that the Rule of Three is “Proportional Measurement” of the eye and mind in which the three proportions appear to be somewhat equal. So, with a sitting posture the eye and mind have to compensate for the hip portion of the middle third between the waist and the mid knees to calculate an approximate equalizing of the proportions. After all, proportions help to create an averaged normalized look of what appears about correct. It just looks right in a proportional perspective. The WOOD BEE CARVER has always utilized “Baseball Measurement,” that is “In the ballpark” of appearing just about right.
Here is another illustration of how to determine the proportions of a sitting figure.
The WOOD BEE CARVER has used the concept of “proportions” as a way to envision the design of a carving project. The RULE OF THREE has been the primary guide for facial features and body pose by dividing areas of consideration into three equal proportions. Proportional measuring is a combination of “eye and brain” working together that will apply to any size of a carving project. The photo below is a visual study guide for the male figure as an example to be applied to any male figure.
This series of photographs presents a brief visual tutorial on the opening phase of carving a Cowpoke which can be applied to any Cowpoke.
Keith Radick has a strong face with character that is a good subject for study. He is not only an accomplished carver but he also is a good sport by granting me permission to use his face for this study. The face on a WANTED poster is intended to be studied in case you ever see this character.
This posting is a visual and written description of this Study Cuts Stick that was used when teaching wood carving classes. The WOOD BEE CARVER would place small boxes on the student’s tables that contained pencils, band aids, leather strops, a couple carving knives and a Mertz Study Cuts stick for reference during class sessions.
