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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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