Every carving project begins within the imagination of the artist and is enhanced by doing research to bring the imagined project into focus with additional visual memory.  The “Three Confederate Soldiers” carving project allowed for learning more about the subjects to enhance the project.  The soldier wearing the yellow kepi cap depicts a Calvary officer.  The gray kepi cap on the second soldier represents the infantry soldier.  The Artillery soldier is wearing a red kepi cap.  The colors of the kepi cap and trim of the uniforms distinguished their respective branch of service rather than a whimsy of personal choice.

The gallery begins with the Calvary officer, then the infantry soldier and finally the artillery soldier.  Note with each one the difference in uniforms, their equipment, what their hands are holding and facial features, all of which show variety of visual interest.  Each was carved out of a six inch by inch and half basswood block in the Whittle-Carving style of using only knives to Shape Up and detail the carving process.              [Click on each photo to enlarge]

The Calvary officer is wearing a shirt and trousers, a side arm pistol, cartridge pouch, sabre, carbine attached to shoulder belt and wearing knee high boots with spurs.  His mustache in a continuation of his mutton side burns and his left hand is holding a pipe to his mouth. His facial features are compared in the three photo views below.

The photo below is about the carving in process stage from the cartoon drawing guidelines through the carving being ready for painting stage.

The infantry soldier is wearing the traditional Confederate Gray uniform with trousers of a varying shade of color. He is wearing a haversack off a shoulder strap and a canteen while holding his rifle in one hand and a coffee tin cup in the other hand. His face is clean shaven with side burns fronting his ears.

The photo below is about the carving in process stage from the cartoon drawing guidelines through the carving being ready for painting stage.

The Artillery soldier is wearing the red Kepi cap, a waist jacket and a canteen at the end of the shoulder strap.  No weapon is shown attached to his belt since as a artillery soldier his job is loading the cannon shell which he is holding in both hand due to it weight. (note: a shell is depicted instead of the proverbial cannon ball.)

The photo below is about the carving in process stage from the cartoon drawing guidelines through the carving being ready for painting stage.

Another view of the three soldier from another angle